From the Bench: A gunsmith's perspective on protecting what matters most By Hootey Cline, Blue Coat Arms Company Originally published June 17, 2019 | Updated July 1, 2025 As a believer in self-reliance, I see firearms as just one component of a comprehensive home defense strategy. After years of discussing with customers their security needs and discussing real-world scenarios with trained instructors and consultants, I've learned that effective home defense requires multiple

From the Bench: Where safety meets sanity (and occasionally leaves both behind) By Hootey Cline | Blue Coat Arms Company After nine years of running Blue Coat Arms Company, I've learned that shop safety isn't just about following OSHA guidelines – it's about developing a healthy respect for the fact that everything in a gunsmith's workshop is actively plotting your demise. These rules have kept me (mostly) intact, my customers happy, and my insurance premiums from reaching as