Barrett was born in
Murfreesboro, Tennessee in 1954, and graduated from Murfreesboro Central High School. He started his career in 1972 as a professional photographer for a studio in the same town. With no engineering background, Barrett hand-sketched plans at home for a .50BMG repeating semi-automatic rifle. Later, he found a partner in
tool and die maker Bob Mitchell and an employee at a sheet metal fabricator in
Smyrna, Tennessee. Four months later a prototype was finished. A second prototype shown off at a gun show in
Houston would garner starting capital for Barrett from three investors, necessary for the Barrett Firearms Manufacturing company and production of the first 30 rifles for private use. Barrett is an advocate for the
private ownership of firearms. Barrett has headed fundraising campaigns for the National Rifle Association, sits on its board of directors, and makes occasional appearances on the Cam & Company podcast where he speaks on gun laws. Barrett married former Tennessee State Rep.
Donna Rowland in 2010. == References ==