Jan. 16, 2013

The National Rifle Association is calling President Barack Obama an “elitist hypocrite” for allowing his daughters to be protected by armed guards at their school while being skeptical about putting armed security in the nation's schools.

 

Obama's children attend the elite private school Sidwell in Washington. The school has approximately a dozen armed security guards. This doesn't include the Secret Service detail also provided to the President's children.

 

The NRA posted a 35-second video online Tuesday night on a new website for its advocacy campaign, “NRA Stand and Fight,” asking why presidential daughters Sasha and Malia should be protected at their private Washington D.C. School.

 

"Are the president's kids more important than yours? Then why is he skeptical about putting armed security in our schools, when his kids are protected by armed guards at their school?" the video's narrator says.

 

Editor's Note: Should Obama Ban Guns? Vote in Poll

 

The video then goes on to say that "Mr. Obama demands the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes, but he's just another elitist hypocrite when it comes to a fair share of security.

 

"Protection for their kids and gun-free zones for ours."

 

Presidents' immediate family members have long received Secret Service protection, as they are considered potential targets.

 

The White House did not comment on the ad, but Former White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs blasted the ad on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” Wednesday morning.

 

“I mean, it is disgusting on many levels,” Gibbs said. “It’s also just stupid. This reminds me of an ad that somebody made about 2:00 in the morning after one too many drinks, and no one stopped it in the morning.”

 

The website on which the ad is being displayed has a domain registered to Ackerman McQueen, the NRA's public relations firm.

 

The Obama administration has met with several advocacy groups on all sides of the gun debate following the shootings in Newtown, Conn. The video came out as plans are being made to announce a sweeping gun control plan for the nation on Wednesday.

 

The NRA met with Vice-President Joe Biden, who has been tasked with the gun control issue. However, the association strongly opposes any new gun control laws, including limiting the sale of assault-style weapons or conducting background checks. Instead, it wants armed guards at all American schools.

 

Obama is reportedly skeptical about the armed guards plan, but has also been considering a call for increased funding for police officers at public schools.

 

According to an ABC News/Washington Post poll, 55 percent of Americans support adding armed guards at schools.

 

Obama said Monday that there are steps the country can take to make sure mass shootings like that at Sandy Hook Elementary School don't happen again, and responsible gun owners who have a weapon for protection, hunting or sportsmanship do not have anything to worry about.