What exactly did John Ashcroft claim? Then I can tell you if he lied or not.
"While I cannot comment on any pending litigation, let me state unequivocally my view that the textand the original intent of the Second Amendment clearly protect the right of individuals to keep andbear firearms.While some have argued that the Second Amendment guarantees only a “collective” rightof the States to maintain militias, I believe the Amendment’s plain meaning and original intent prove otherwise."