The only thing he feels he should have done differently was make the circle green instead of red because green means OK and red means stop.

Otherwise, two signs Charles Vaught has put up at his Northeastern Safety Supply business on Roanoke Avenue, signs that welcome guns inside, have received favorable comments, especially on the social networking site Facebook where more than 1,400 people have liked the photo, which has been shared more than 400 times and commented on more than 200 times.

The decision to put signs up was purely a business one and not to flaunt conventions, especially since becoming a federal firearms dealer. “We have a lot of people looking for holsters and some scared about bringing firearms in the store,” Vaught said today. “We let them have firearms in the store. As long as you act responsible you’re allowed to bring your firearm inside.”

This means less returns for customers buying holsters and takes the guesswork out of the equation. “Some people know the make but not the model. It’s a lot better to get the fit right than speculating and trying to guess. They can see what appeals to them, see how it fits and see how to get out the gun.”

Most of the comments came when his wife Wendy posted the photo on her Facebook  page Tuesday, the likes climbing to 1,430 and the shares tallying 440 thus far. “Facebook wise it’s been a huge response,” he said. “Ninety-five percent of the comments are positive.”

People have called the business wanting their own signs, which Vaught will have made as long as the customer is willing to pay for the costs. Requests have come from the United States and Switzerland. National Rifle Association members have also requested the signs.

As far as the few negative comments, Vaught says, “It’s my business. People who come in here should know it’s a firearms business.”

There may be a safety side to it, too, he says. “You’re less likely to be robbed if the suspect believes customers are carrying.”

Vaught got his federal firearms license within the last few weeks, a business decision that now allows him to buy and sell firearms, transfer ownership and serve as a pickup point for those who order firearms online.

The store is also carrying ammo. “We’re trying to keep the ammo that’s hard to find,” he said.

Firearm sales have dramatically risen, which is making it hard for manufacturers to keep up with demand. “A lot of it has to do with the current administration,” he said of the Obama administration, explaining when people feel an administration may try to alter the Second Amendment, gun sales go up.

As he starts out as a gun dealer, Vaught is selling Charter Arms, Ruger, Glock and Smith and Wesson products. “As we build we’re slowly going to build up on that.”

The gun sales have brought more people in the store, Vaught said. “When they buy a firearm they may want a holster to accompany it. It leads to other options than firearms.”

Vaught is hoping to build the business up to a point where he can have an indoor firing range in Roanoke Rapids. “That’s few years down the road.”