Tattoo shop denial sparks lawsuit

Florida Keys News - Key West Citizen

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Tattoo shop denial sparks lawsuit

BY ADAM LINHARDT Citizen Staff
alinhardt@keysnews.com

A Virginia man looking to open a tattoo parlor in Old Town who was denied permits from the city is suing, saying the local law limiting such businesses is unconstitutional.

Brad Buehrle says, in his 10-page complaint filed in state court, that the city ordinance is "arbitrary and capricious" in allowing only two tattoo parlors in Old Town. The law cites the "potential deteri...

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1st amendment

Submitted on Sat, 12/22/2012 - 7:06pm by Revbob

Just for the record law has already been decided in several state supreme courts declaring tattooing to be protected under the first amendment. Last time I was in key west I remember three strip clubs, enough bong shops to stock Colorado, a cigar shop every twenty feet, enough tshirt shops to clothe the Western Hemisphere a fantasy club....but your worried about a tattoo shop ruining your family atmosphere? Really your sitting there think a tattoo shop is going to bring the bikers and sailors? No it won't be the tattoo shops...the strip clubs, 500 bars, and easily found drug paraphernalia ...sorry they are tobacco pipes right?

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IT IS MY RIGHT AS A DISABLED VETERAN

Submitted on Sat, 12/22/2012 - 8:59am by Supporter

I fought for this country in two wars. It's my right as a US citizen to open a business where I feel I can make the most money to help support my family, not where someone thinks I should be. What I do as my profession didn't matter when I was fighting for this country so you people can live in a free world. If you don't believe in our CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS then get out of my country USA.

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This isn't the 1960s

Submitted on Fri, 12/21/2012 - 10:06pm by Jenn

This isn't the 1960s anymore....professionals get tattoos not just military individuals. Tattoo establishments are professionals that must follow strict health regulations. In this poor economy you think people would want more establishments to open to hire people from the area. Last time I walked on Duvall street there were strip clubs, a bare all bar, and a drug paraphernalia shop. And your complaining about a professional tattoo establishment opening in town! Really!!!

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Other towns have no trouble

Submitted on Tue, 12/18/2012 - 6:09pm by 666

Other towns have no trouble keeping businesses out. Chains, or too many of the same things. Resort towns all over control their streets. Why can't Key West?

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if you like to control

Submitted on Sat, 12/22/2012 - 8:44am by Supporter

if you like to control something in this town maybe start with t shirts shop sounds like a flea market in old town 5 dollars is all i hear

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Forget it.

Submitted on Sun, 12/16/2012 - 11:56am by Mac

We didn't want the scummy ones we have. Harry Bethel sold us out.

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Tattoo shop

Submitted on Sun, 12/16/2012 - 11:28am by Supporter

I thought we lived in America this was a free country and we stood behind the Constitution rights

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DUDE! what are you tryin' to

Submitted on Sun, 12/16/2012 - 10:26am by Faye

DUDE! what are you tryin' to do? there is a limit downtown. Does this town look trashy sailor ridden red-light district to you? Next before you know it there would be one on every corner and then this would be very cheesy,trashy, classless town. Go somewhere else 'we don't need your stinkin tattoo parlor'. and stop trying to make a fast buck, I know the economy is bad, but that doesn't give you the right to sue. There are places that went out of business just because they couldn't meet their quota daily. businesses aren't doing as well. Go to Miami since it is a large city and leave us small town/city alone.

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You're right Faye,

Submitted on Wed, 12/19/2012 - 11:17am by Get Real

what we need are more $5 tshirt shops. How dare this guy try to put something else in this vacant building.

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One good point...

Submitted on Sun, 12/16/2012 - 9:44am by TheHatchet

...he makes is that as long as a whole pile of Five-dolla-holla shops are in business, the City has a lot of nerve telling him he doesn't fit in Oldtown. Walk past a tattoo shop and what do you see? Art. Some may not appreciate it, but that's what it is. Walk past any one of the cheesy rip-off t-shirt shops and you see filth and ripoff havens. Funny how the city picks which ones 'fit' in the historic district.