 The vast majority of women in the west have their ears pierced with a piercing gun . The safety of piercing guns , which were originally developed for tagging livestock , has been disputed . The Department of Health of Western Australia does not recommend their use for piercing body parts other than the lobes of ears , and the Association of Professional Piercers recommends that piercing guns not be used for any piercing , requiring members to agree not to use piercing guns in their practice . 
