Tattoo or earring both are the some in my books you either chose to mark you body or not. Your choice it bothers me not. I think some of these places have excellent artists and do some amazing work.
Only issue I have is the ear piercing is under the wire as acceptable but they spread disease like rats and the black plague.
Piercing guns are seldom properly sterilized and hep c lives a long time out side the body. If someone in the last month had it then you likely have been exposed to that virus. Same goes for tattoo needles and guns.
The difference tattoo artists today mostly dump unused ink and use new needle for each customer. They have been under scrutiny much more then piercing/earring stores.
So just beware and ask about seeing how they sterilize their things. If they are doing it right they will be proud to show you what a great job they are doing if they get edgy run fast; your kidney and liver will thank you.