Biden goes off script as he calls for a ban on assault rifles and high-capacity magazines

President Joe Biden expressed his bewilderment at the high-capacity magazines and powerful rifles on sale in America during his State of the Union address on Tuesday, asking: ‘You think the deer are wearing a Kevlar vest?’

But the joke was quickly ridiculed by conservatives.   

‘Joe, the reason American’s need an AR-15 with a 30 round magazine isn’ a deer in a Kevlar vest,’ tweeted hunting enthusiast Donald Trump Jr.

‘It’s what you’re watching take place on the news 24/7 this week in Ukraine.’

Biden has pushed hard for greater gun control.

And during the joint session of Congress he used his speech to press his audience to do more to bring in ‘commonsense’ legislation that will save lives, including banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.  

President Joe Biden used his State of the Union speech to again urge Congress to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines that can hold as many as 100 rounds

But watching conservatives – including Donald Trump Jr. –  ridiculed his joke about hunters needing weapons to go after deer wearing Kevlar vests

The set-piece speech was a chance for Biden to reset his presidency after a first year in office beset by the highest inflation in 40 years and a lingering coronavirus pandemic

 ‘I ask Congress to pass proven measures to reduce gun violence. Pass universal background checks. Why should anyone on a terrorist list be able to purchase a weapon?

‘Why? Why?’ 

‘Ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines that hold 100 rounds.’

At that point he departed from his prepared remarks to make the deer joke – a favorite of his that he also used in front of the same audience last year – before returning to the script.   

‘Repeal the liability shield that makes gun manufacturers the only industry in America that can’t be sued,’ he continued.

The issue is deeply partisan. And the audience split over the joke.

Conservatives said it was ‘patronising’ while some Democrats took to Twitter to say it was the best line of the night. 

Republican Rep. Jim Banks focused on the broader message, tweeting: ‘Joe Biden wants to take your guns.’

Before the address, the White House set out how it believes the proposed laws will make America safer. 

‘This legislation, which fully aligns with the Second Amendment, includes requiring background checks for all gun sales, ensuring that no terrorist can buy a weapon in the United States, banning assault weapons and high capacity magazines, repealing gun manufacturers’ protection from liability, and banning ghost guns,’ it said in factsheet.

Just as guns divide the nation, so too did Biden’s joke. Viewers found it patronising or funny

The set-piece speech offered Biden a chance to reset after a turbulent first year that sent his poll numbers into freefall. 

Although he presided over record economic growth and trillions of dollars in spending, he has been knocked off course by a chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, record inflation and a stubborn coronavirus pandemic. 

He opened his speech by talking about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and asked Congress to take the unity they had shown on that issue and apply it to others.

‘Let’s use this moment to reset,’ he said

‘So stop looking at COVID as a partisan dividing line. See it for what it is: a God-awful disease. Let’s stop seeing each other as enemies. 

‘Let’s start seeing each other for who we are: fellow Americans.’

He renewed his pitch for the mammoth social spending programs that have stalled in Congress, including expanded child care.

And he promised to take action on inflation, saying ‘my top priority is getting prices under control.’