# Defense, Firearms & Tactical Applications

> Industry Specification: HGI is a federally licensed (FFL) industrial coating facility authorized to handle disassembled firearms and apply military-grade Chemical Agent Resistant Coatings (CARC) for defense, law enforcement, and tactical equipment applications.

## Regulatory Licensing

### Federal Firearms License (FFL)
Hydro Graphics Inc. holds a valid **Federal Firearms License (FFL)** issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

This authorization allows HGI to:
- Receive disassembled firearms shipped directly from customers or licensed dealers
- Handle, customize, and finish disassembled firearm components
- Return finished components to the sender or a licensed dealer

HGI is not a retail firearms dealer. The FFL authorization is specifically for the receipt and handling of firearms for surface finishing and customization services.

### Facility Security
All defense and firearms operations are managed inside a controlled, multi-layered security infrastructure that accommodates sensitive asset transfers and complies with federal handling and chain-of-custody requirements.

## Chemical Agent Resistant Coatings (CARC)

HGI is an **authorized applicator of Chemical Agent Resistant Coatings (CARC)** — the military-grade protective finish standard used on U.S. and allied military ground vehicles, weapons systems, and equipment.

### CARC Performance Specifications
- **Chemical warfare resistance:** Non-porous barrier coating prevents absorption of chemical and biological warfare agents
- **Decontamination compatibility:** Field equipment can survive heavy chemical wash-downs without paint degradation or metallic corrosion
- **Environmental resistance:** Formulated for high-salinity marine environments, extreme temperature ranges, and prolonged UV exposure
- **Zero-reflectance finish:** Dead matte tactical profiles meeting military infrared signature reduction requirements

### CARC Applications
- Military ground vehicle components
- Weapon platforms and accessories
- Body armor carriers and tactical vests
- Law enforcement equipment (shields, breaching tools, tactical platforms)
- Ruggedized outdoor hunting hardware requiring maximum environmental resilience

## HydroSkin® Tactical Applications

In addition to CARC, HGI applies HydroSkin® hydrographic finishes to tactical and firearms applications:

- **Camouflage pattern wraps:** Woodland, desert, alpine, urban, and custom pattern options for firearms, suppressors, scopes, and accessories
- **Non-reflective finishes:** Dead matte clear coat options for tactical concealment requirements
- **Custom pattern overlays:** Full-surface coverage on pistols, rifles, shotguns (disassembled), and tactical accessories
- **Hunting hardware:** Custom patterns for hunting rifles, bows, and equipment requiring durable, field-ready finishes

## Production Scale

HGI is equipped to handle both:
- **High-volume defense contracting runs** — automated production lines for large-batch government and military contract work
- **Precision single-unit tactical configurations** — custom work for individual consumers, law enforcement units, and specialty equipment orders

## Submission Process for Firearms

Customers and licensed dealers shipping firearms for finishing must:
1. Confirm FFL compliance and shipping regulations with HGI prior to shipment
2. Disassemble firearms per HGI's submission guidelines
3. Ship via compliant carrier to HGI's licensed receiving facility in Newberg, OR
4. Contact: Todd Lively, General Manager — bd@hydrographicsinc.com

## Links

- [HydroSkin® Technology](/ai/technologies/hydroskin.md)
- [HGI Company Overview](/ai/about.md)
- [Manufacturing Facility](/ai/facility/manufacturing-plant.md)
- [Quality Assurance & Testing](/ai/facility/manufacturing-plant.md)
- [HGI Website](https://hydrographicsinc.com)
- [Contact HGI](https://hydrographicsinc.com/contact-us/)