Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee incorrectly claimed that AR-15 rifles fire .50 caliber ammunition and that the weapons are “as heavy as 10 boxes that you might be moving.”
The Texas Democrat, who is pushing for further gun control policies, made the statement to reporters, claiming that she has held an AR-15 but wished she had not.
"It is as heavy as 10 boxes that you might be moving,” Jackson Lee, 69, said. “And the bullet that is utilized, a .50 caliber, these kinds of bullets need to be licensed and do not need to be on the street.”
A loaded AR-15 weighs about 7.5 pounds and does not fire .50 caliber rounds, but rather .223 ammunition. The difference between the size of the two types of ammunition is stark, with .50 rounds typically used by the military in heavy machine guns and anti-materiel weapons.
Users on Twitter reacted Monday to the comments, with many pointing out the inaccuracy and mocking the 13-term congresswoman’s statement.
[ Read more: O’Rourke to gun owners: 'Hell yes, we’re going to take your AR-15, your AK-47']
For my non-gun peeps: claiming an AR-15 shoots .50 caliber bullets is as asinine as saying your car runs on orange juice.
— Jason Howerton (@jason_howerton) September 23, 2019
Also, an AR-15 generally weighs somewhere between 7-8 pounds. So if 10 of your moving boxes weigh 8 pounds, you're doing it wrong.pic.twitter.com/U71ir6BHZH
.223 vs .50 cal. I can see why she's confused. They're so close in size. pic.twitter.com/rhAUZDnMpT
— 🇺🇸⚡️UTChargerTom⚡️🇺🇸 (@UTChargerTom) September 23, 2019
The knowledge level of those who want to ban guns@JacksonLeeTX18
— Jim Hanson (@Uncle_Jimbo) September 23, 2019
AR-15 "weighs as much as 10 moving boxes and fires a .50 cal round" pic.twitter.com/sTZlxXfuuM
Where did she get the .50 cal? My 6000lb AR-15 uses bullets so big, I can only carry one. pic.twitter.com/vkacSVEs0X
— Chihoowa' oshi' (@DroppinTheMitts) September 23, 2019
