I have had my ear lobes done with both a needle and a gun..
My first set of holes were done with a gun.. as said in this thread .. load .. small pinch.. and you have pierced ears.
My second set of holes I had done with a needle.. A body piercer told me.. it more of rush been pierced with a needle... It is a bit more painful than the gun.. but not sore.. you feel the needle and the earing going in afterwards.. I had my navel done at the same time.
I would like to get my nipples done and another set of holes in my ears done.