Ronnie Barrett

Ronnie Barrett of Murfreesboro, Tennessee is the CCRKBA Gun Rights Defender of the Month for June.
In nominating Barrett for the Award, CCRKBA Chairman Alan M. Gottlieb pointed out that, as part of a “divide and conquer” strategy on the part of anti-gunners, the gun grabbers are trying to isolate one group of gun owners from others. The gun grabbers are trying to isolate firearms enthusiasts who are particularly interested in and committed to the use of .50 caliber rifles for legitimate purposes. Ronnie Barrett has become a leader in exposing the fallacies of gun grabbers in this regard and in fighting them with the truth. “Consequently,” added Gottlieb, “Ronnie is most deserving of this Award.”
Barrett founded Barrett Firearms Manufacturing in 1982. Well known for .50 caliber rifles, Barrett produces rifles in .416 Barrett and 6.8 SPC calibers. Barrett also is a growing innovator in the design and production of optics for long range shooters. Barrett’s bold idea of a shoulder fired .50 caliber rifle led to the now celebrated Model 82 rifle.
With Barrett, the .50 caliber issue came to a head recently when the Chief of Police in Honolulu, Hawaii, Boisse Correa, called for and used his office to promote an Aloha State ban on .50 caliber rifles.
“If Hawaii or any state bans the sale of the .50 caliber rifle,” stated Barrett in response, “we will immediately stop the sale and service of all Barrett products to that state’s government agencies. We will also welcome all small arms manufacturers to take the same action.”
“It is the law,” continued Barrett. “Barrett Firearms Manufacturing cannot sell our products to those who break the law even though the officials responsible may not yet be indicted. Barrett will not support a state or local government that is obviously in violation of the United States Constitution thereby jeopardizing the safety and security of its citizens.”
Barrett wrote Correa that, “The act of a government entity banning commercial sales of legal firearms, such as my .50 caliber rifle, not only violates the basic principles of the Constitution, but also puts national security at risk by ending the delicate balance between the government and the private sector. Furthermore, it sets a precedent that endangers the future of other vital defense contractors.
“How important is this particular rifle? In 2004, the United States Army named the Barrett M107 Rifle as one of the 10 Greatest Inventions for helping our brave service men and women do their jobs. The free enterprise system allowed me, a civilian sportsman and manufacturer, to perfect that rifle and get it into the hands of those who defend freedom.”
Barrett let Correa know that he realized Correa has been receiving “exaggerated and untrue information that is originating from the Violence Policy Center. For many years, the VPC has claimed an urgent need to ban powerful rifles by predicting some attack will soon happen that will result in preposterous destruction. Well, as much as they promote the attack idea, they don’t happen, as this is not the type of weapon our enemies are using against us.
“VPC’s call for urgent action is in hopes that no time will be spent in factual research that easily reveals the irrationality of these exaggerated claims. All of these tactics have failed to work in Washington, D.C. Now, the VPC’s plan is to continue this deception at the state level.”
Barrett stated to Correa that “I was in law enforcement myself for several years. There is something that bothers me, and I believe it should bother you as a police official. Sir, your general testimony and statements must be based on factual evidence. All police work in this great nation must be firmly grounded in facts, collected evidence, and the solid truth.
“Throughout history, when police work was contaminated with innuendoes, fabrications and fear tactics, the society was doomed. Now, I must ask you how many murders can you report that were committed in your jurisdiction with a .50 caliber rifle? How many robberies? How many .50 caliber rifles have you found at crime scenes? The answers should be true facts; anything else is a destroyer of our society, our great republic.”
Barrett has been battling the anti-gun .50 caliber rifle scam for some time.
After California banned .50 caliber firearms, he wrote that, “Unlike California, we cannot allow any of our local, state or federal officials to be deceived with any of this ‘big lie’ gun control propaganda. The U.S. has every gun law that could possibly be needed.”