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BARRETT IN THE NEWS

November 20, 2006 (Immediate News Release) Contact: Ralph E. Vaughn
Barrett Manufacturing
Phone: (615) 896-2938
Email: ralphv@barrettrifles.com

Ernst & Young honors Ronnie Barrett
The owner and president of Barrett Manufacturing in Murfreesboro, Tennessee was recognized by Ernst & Young this past weekend as a member of an elite group of outstanding entrepreneurs in America. Ronnie Barrett received the recognition during an event in Palm Springs, California which concluded with a black tie gala where Jay Leno of The Tonight Show was master of ceremonies.
Barrett had been honored back in June as a Southeastern United States winner for Entrepreneur of the Year and then became a finalist for the national award which was won by Dr. Richard E. Caruso, founder of Integra Life Sciences Corporation which has annual sales of nearly $400 million producing products for the replacement of skin, nerves and the covering of the brain.
Each year the most successful entrepreneurs in the country are singled out for their accomplishments with the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Their names and companies make up a who's who list in business representing virtually every industry, from high tech to high touch.
An independent panel of judges from business, finance, academics and the media from throughout the United States reviews each nomination. All regional winners and the national honoree were also inducted into the elite Entrepreneur of the Year Hall of Fame.
Ernst & Young created the Entrepreneur of the Year awards 20-years-ago in the United States as a way to identify, honor, and support outstanding business leaders.
Ronnie Barrett started a modest firearms company 25 years ago that has risen to national and international prominence with the United States military and more than 30 foreign governments along with an increasing civilian market. Barrett Manufacturing has 100 employees who are committed to producing the best weapons in the world to support military and government purposes, and civilian sporting enthusiasts.
For more information about Barrett Manufacturing, go online to www.barrettrifles.com.

Barrett Firearms Opposes CA DOJ's Proposed Definition of "Capacity to Accept Detachable Magazines"
August 25, 2006

August 16, 2006
Jeff Amador, Field Representative
Department of Justice
Firearms Licensing and Permits Section
P.O. Box 820200
Sacramento, CA 94203-0200

RE: OPPOSITION TO PROPOSED DEFINITION OF "CAPACITY TO
ACCEPT DETACHABLE MAGAZINES" - 27 C.C.R. 978.20(f)
Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Inc. strongly opposes the proposed regulation defining the phrase "capacity to accept a detachable magazine" in 27 C.C.R. 978.20(f).
Assembly Bill 50 (AB50) limits the possession and sale of .50 BMG rifles and required owners of .50 BMG rifles to register their firearms or remove them from the state before June 1, 2006. The proposed regulation substantially interferes with the registration requirements of AB50 by expanding the scope and definition of "assault weapons" to include firearms that were previously not "assault weapons."
The proposed regulation defines the phrase "capacity to accept a detachable magazine" as it is used to define "assault weapons" within Penal Code section 12276.1 ("Section 12276.1"). Section 12276.1 "assault weapons" were required to be registered on or before December 31, 2000, and, during the initial regulation process, the Department of Justice denied a request to clarify the phrase "capacity to accept" on the grounds that such a definition was unnecessary. Since then, the Department of Justice has disseminated and promoted the "readily removed" standard in its definition of "detachable magazine":
"Detachable magazine" means any ammunition feeding device that can be removed readily from the firearm with neither disassembly of the firearm action nor use of a tool being required. A bullet or ammunition cartridge is considered a tool. Ammunition feeding device includes any belted or linked ammunition, but does not include clips, en block clips, or strip clips that load cartridges into the magazine. [27 C.C.R. 978.20(a).]
Barrett's 82A1-CA complied with the "readily removable" standard. This definition has been used by the Department of Justice to permit the sale and possession of firearms that have been modified to prevent their ammunition feeding device from being "readily removed." A tamper proof screw attaches a "swing magazine" to a Barrett 82A1-CA receiver making it a "fixed magazine" receiver.
Barrett opposes this regulation because it is an attempt to create law outside the legislative process.
Barrett, along with other manufacturers, has incurred financial costs to produce products that comply with laws that may eventually be found to be unconstitutional. The attempt by a non-legislative body to make new law by regulation creates uncertainty in the marketplace, robs citizens of their representation, and is dangerous to our republic.
This proposed regulation, if passed, subjects thousands of California residents to criminal prosecution for possession of firearms that the Department has expressly approved.
Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Inc. opposes the proposed regulation and instead proposes that the Department of Justice not attempt to make new law and refrain from engaging in activities designed to circumvent the registration requirements of the Roberti-Roos Act on the grounds that it expands the current understanding of the term "assault weapon" as it has been used and applied by the Department of Justice and relied upon by California residents, firearms manufacturers and law enforcement personnel.
Sincerely,
Ronnie Barrett, President
Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Inc.

Ronnie Barrett, President and founder of Barrett Firearms, named as an Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year for 2006
July, 2006

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Ronnie Barrett was honored June 28th at a special 20th anniversary gala event at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta. More than 500 of the region's most successful business people attended.

An independent panel composed of leaders from business, academic, and civic organizations selected Barrett because he turned his idea into one America's most successful companies. Barrett was nominated in the Southeast defense and security category.

The prestigious award recognizes leaders and visionaries who are creating and building world-class businesses. Awards are given to entrepreneurs who have demonstrated excellence and extraordinary success in areas of innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

"Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award winners embrace the entrepreneurial spirit and determination necessary to achieve success," said Gerry Wilson, Ernst & Young partner in charge of the Southeast region. "Ernst & Young is proud of its 20 year history in recognizing and supporting these outstanding leaders and their companies." Past recipients in their respective categories include Home Depot founder Arthur Blank, Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) founder Thomas Frist, Jr., and Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy.

In 1982, at only 28, Ronnie Barrett had a gravel-floored garage workshop, a keen interest in firearms and an inventor's drive. A self-taught engineer, Ronnie's vision was to design, develop, manufacture and sell a unique .50 caliber rifle. Unlike other rifles in this caliber, his was to be shoulder-fired. Colleagues initially questioned Barrett's bold idea but Ronnie pressed forward improving his designs and perfecting the manufacturing of his rifles. Ronnie persevered and in 1987 earned a patent for his invention.

From the very beginning, customers loved his high-quality rifles and an intense brand loyalty developed. But Ronnie had not only invented a dependable rifle, he had pioneered a viable market for an entirely new classification of rifle. Recognized as the world's premier manufacturer of .50 caliber rifles, Barrett dominates this market and enjoys customer allegiance approaching a cult following. Winning competitive shooters, law enforcement officers and military members all depend on Barrett rifles.

Civilian sport shooters were early adopters and they alone supported his business in its infancy. Now government contracts play an increasing role in Barrett's success. Sweden signed his first military contract in 1989 and 50 allied countries now use Barrett rifles. Thousands of Barrett rifles have been proven in battle and the U.S. Military has developed new tactics that capitalize on his rifle's unique capability. In 2005, the U.S. Army recognized his M107 rifle with their coveted "Ten Greatest Inventions" award.

Once known only as a rifle inventor, Barrett is now known as an accomplished businessman leading a highly profitable operation. Barrett has secured his company's future by continuously reducing manufacturing costs, motivating and training a top-quality workforce, and funding research and development to create innovative products exceeding the high expectations of a Barrett customer.

Barrett is eligible for Ernst & Young's National Entrepreneur Of The Year. National category winners will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs on November 18th where Jay Leno will serve as master of ceremonies. The national winner is considered for the world event held in Monte Carlo.

Barrett Firearms Urges Ambassador John Bolton to block United Nations Gun Grab
July, 2006

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Ronnie Barrett, President of Barrett Firearms and an outspoken supporter of individual firearms rights, wrote Ambassador Bolton during the U.N.'s Small Arms Control Convention. Barrett urged Bolton to preserve US sovereignty and prevent the UN from restricting a citizen's gun ownership rights.

An open letter to John Bolton, US Ambassador to the United Nations
July 4, 2006
Dear Ambassador Bolton,
On this the most cherished date in American history, I encourage you to preserve the independence of the United States. I urge you to reject proposals presented in the U.N. Small Arms Review Conference that restrict an individual's constitutional rights and threaten our national sovereignty.
U.N. proposals suggest that the ownership of firearms should not be the personal choice of individuals as guaranteed in our constitution. These proposals imply that the "state" should hold a monopoly on the use of force. Tyrants who have enjoyed this monopoly have murdered millions. As recently as 1994, over 800,000 in Rwanda were hacked to death after they were disarmed. Murder on this scale is only possible with an unarmed citizenry dependent on others for defense. Thanks to the blood shed by our forefathers and the constitution they enacted, the United States citizen is uniquely immune to this butchery.
The independence that made the United States the greatest country in world history could never have been achieved without the individual ownership of firearms. Yet foreign diplomats, troubled by the freedom and protection our Second Amendment guarantees, seek to "harmonize" our firearms laws with the repressive laws of other countries. I do not consider the Second Amendment a loophole and I do not wish to see America lumped in with countries that have not known our historic struggle and have not tasted the resulting freedom. The United States, a model for personal liberty and success in capitalistic and cultural endeavors, is the very product of an armed populous.
So as we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence, let us remember that the individual ownership of firearms was central to the struggle that followed.
Please reject the gun control schemes in the U.N. Small Arms Review Conference. In so doing you will make a clear declaration that the American citizen will not stand for being disarmed by the United Nations.
Sincerely yours,
Ronnie Barrett President, Barrett Firearms Manufacturing