What happend to john mcclains left arm tattoo in the movie Die Hard?

In the movie "Die Hard," John McClane's left arm tattoo, which reads "Now I Have a Machine Gun," is a significant detail that symbolizes his transformation throughout the film. However, it is notably absent in the subsequent sequels, leading to speculation and fan discussions about its continuity. This inconsistency has been attributed to the character's evolution and the different focus of each film. Ultimately, the tattoo serves more as a narrative device in the original rather than a permanent feature of McClane's character across the series.