Our History

Family-owned and operated

Firing Line has been part of the East Texas community since 1999, when it was founded by Paul Greenwood. Over the years, many local tattoo artists have worked here—including several who later went on to own shops of their own. Tattooing has always been part of the Greenwood family's story, all the way back to Paul's relative, Edward Greenwood, who traveled with the Barnum & Bailey Circus. Paul himself was a third-generation tattoo artist, carrying on a tradition that helped shape the history of American tattooing. When Paul decided it was time to retire, he chose to sell Firing Line and Dragon's Breath to someone who already knew the business well. In 2024, his longtime employee, Lauren Gilmore, partnered with her father, Mike Bailey, to purchase the shop and continue its legacy. Out of respect for everything Paul built, they chose to keep the Firing Line name. Today, they're focused on preserving the shop's history while investing in its future—expanding product lines, modernizing the business, and continuing to serve the customers and artists who have made Firing Line a local institution for more than two decades.