Steve Dettelbach, Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, (ATF), came under fire Tuesday after failing to define the term “assault weapons” once again despite being the head of the government agency that deals with firearms.

Dettelbach was asked by Rep. Jake Ellzey (R-Texas) to define a assault weapon before a House Appropriations Subcommittee.

As a former military member and gun owner, I am an expert in self-defense and weaponry. Ellzey asked, “In 15 seconds, could you describe an assault weapon for me?”

“I won’t go any further than that because I believe that Congress will have to do all the work if they want to tackle that issue. We would provide technical assistance.” Dettelbach replied, “I, unlike you, may not be a firearms specialist to the same degree as you. But we have ATF personnel who can discuss velocity of firearms and what damage different types of firearms cause so that whatever decision you choose to make will be informed.”

Twitter users slammed Dettelbach for his refusal to provide a definition and his support of a ban on assault weapons.

Ryan Petty, a member of the Florida State Board of Education, asked: “ATF director Dettelbach said he was not an expert on firearms …’. So why does he lead the agency that oversees federal firearms laws?”

Kostas M. Moras, an attorney, wrote: “He admits that he’s not a firearms specialist, and I really appreciate his honesty.” Why is he the head of ATF then? Does he have a good knowledge of alcohol, tobacco or anything else?”

Derek Hunter, a Townhall.com writer, joked that “if it looks like something Stallone or Schwarzenegger held in a film, it’s scary and should be banned.”

“Biden’s ATF director wants to ban ‘assault weapon’ but can’t even define what an assault weapon is. He also says that he doesn’t know as much about guns as the veteran/Congressman who asked him. This guy is the head of an agency that focuses on FIREARMS, alcohol and tobacco. “Lunacy,” director and producer Robby starbuck called out.

Dana Loesch, conservative radio host, tweeted: “He is not an expert. But he will eagerly propose regulations to be followed as if they were laws.”

Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) agreed: “Joe Biden’s ATF director just testified at a Congressional Hearing that he is not a firearms specialist. Wow. The ATF should not be regulating firearms.

Dettelbach was asked about his support for an assault weapons ban in his 2018 campaign for Ohio Attorney General. Dettelbach admitted that, despite advocating gun restrictions at the time, he had not defined the term.

“When I ran for office, I spoke about assault weapons restrictions. I didn’t define the term. Dettelbach added, “I haven’t defined that term.”

“I find it very telling that your nomination to lead ATF is based on the fact that you do not have a definition for an assault weapon. “There is no such category of weapons as assault weapons,” said Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.).

Dettelbach’s confirmation was confirmed by 48 to 46 votes in July.