NRA ad: Obama an "elitist hypocrite" on gun violence

This post was updated at 11:53 a.m. ET

President Obama's agenda to reduce gun violence will be unveiled today at the White House, but the National Rifle Association is not waiting to react, preempting Mr. Obama's announcement with a hard-hitting ad that blasts the president as an "elitist hypocrite."

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

In the wake of the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., the NRA proposed stationing an armed guard in every school in America to prevent school shootings, but the president has expressed his aversion to the proposal.

In a bit of a non-sequitur, the NRA's ad links the president's resistance to their proposal to his call for the wealthy to pay more taxes.

"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."

The result, according to the NRA? "Protection for their kids and gun-free zones for ours."

CBS News Political Director John Dickerson noted today on "CBS This Morning," the ad is "about hypocrisy, not safety," pushing emotional buttons unrelated to gun policy to stir up broader opposition to Mr. Obama's proposals.

• Dickerson: Gun control fight getting personal
• What are Obama's gun control proposals?

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney condemned the NRA's ad as "repugnant and cowardly," telling CBS News Chief White House Correspondent Major Garrett, "Most Americans agree that a president's children should not be used as pawns in a political fight. But to go so far as to make the safety of the President's children the subject of an attack ad is repugnant and cowardly."

And Mr. Obama's former press secretary and senior adviser, Robert Gibbs, also minced no words in reaction, calling the ad "disgusting on many levels" on MSNBC.

"It's also just stupid," said Gibbs. "This reminds me of an ad that somebody made at about 2 o'clock in the morning after one too many drinks, and no one stopped it in the morning."

The ad is reportedly airing on the Sportsman Channel, and the NRA has not ruled out buying air time on other networks.

[adlyn_laa]

There is nothing stupid about that add! It's the truth Obama not only thinks his children are more important than ours! He also thinks him self, his wife, members of congress and their families are more important. I would like to see Mr. Obama practice what he preached. It's just like with that Obama Health Care Law, not good enough for him and his family, but force that crazy, stupid , law on all of us. Have you ever noticed how often Obama states 'if I didn't have to have everything approved by congress that would be nice.' When Obama took our rights away to managing our on health care hr went against the constitution! You stated that Obama thinks he can just toss the constitution aside he has tossed it. The Constitution is a joke to him! Obama will brainwash anyone he can. There has been more problem in this country since he has been president it's just one thing after another. All Obama wants to do is flirt, wink, and try to sing. I just don't understand WHY he has not been impeached!

[peter_out]

Let me repeat what we all already know:

1. The Clinton Ban had measurable non-impact on assault weapons being used in mass killing events with 15 events during the 10 year ban. There were 16 events in the 10 years preceding the Clinton Ban, and there have been 14 in the 9 years since.

2. Plugs can be made to be inserted in larger magazines just as with pump shotguns. Why introduce new magazines? There are already a billion magazines out there. After all, all laws are to help decent law abiding people. Simply suggest to gun owners they need not load all the way up.

[buttercup59]

Well, Maerzie - thank you for setting me straight!!!! I cannot believe just how BLIND I was until you gave me your ***** opinion. I am now a new person because of you - NOT!!!!!

I am ALWAYS willing to talk to other people about any subject - until it starts turning into an argument, and that's where it stops for me. I WILL NOT argue with ANYONE over any subject - talk yes, argue no. Because as I stated in the beginning of my earlier comment, this was MY opinion on the SUBJECT, I didn't say you (or anyone else) had to agree with it. That's what this country's all about - freedom of speech - don't ya' just love it! I had my say-so, and you've had yours - and only on MY comment. I truly feel special that you've singled me out. So obviously, you feel that only YOUR opinion is the ONE that matters.

So as I said, I WILL NOT argue with you over THIS SUBJECT, as we both have very different opinions on the matter. But I will address some of the points in your comment as they are against me as a person:

1) "Spoken like a true immature, unfeeling, uncaring, unthinking,ignorant, selfish person, who lost nobody she loves, OR HATES, in any massacre by a nutcase with an assault weapon."
- Considering you've never met me or even know me, in voicing my opinion which differs from yours, you feel the need to call me lowly names?? So why is that?? Well, if you're going to act in a childish manner by calling names, then I will play your game to the end of (sticking my tongue out at you), "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!" Uh oh, should we ban sticks and stones too?!
- I NEVER addressed the subject of assault weapons and the destruction they can bring, just weapons in general.
2) "No normal gun, used by millions of people in our country, for any number of sane activities, has been banned."
- I DID NOT make any reference to ANY guns being banned, so obviously you felt the need to go off on me about something you're upset about and decided that I would be your whipping post.
3) "Why would any fool try to DEFEND insane murderers? Or the weapon USED by those insane murderers?"
- This I agree with - what FOOL would defend the weapons or the insane murderers using them to kill people. I'm sorry to have to tell you you're WRONG AGAIN, in attacking me for MY ***** opinion, but AGAIN, I DID NOT defend ANY insane murderer, or their choice of weapon, or their actions.
4) "For THIS, you decided you had to cuss, throw a childish temper tantrum, and make a fool of yourself!?"
- AGAIN, I only expressed my ***** opinion, just as others were doing - about THE SUBJECT. I DID NOT sling mud at anyone in particular - well, maybe the President - but no person, group, etc., in particular. And even in mentioning the President, I didn't really do any mudslinging, just asking questions.
- Threw a childish temper tantrum and made a fool of myself??!! OBVIOUSLY, with your post, you showed more of a childish/foolish temperament that I could ever possibly come up with, even if I chose to. Your comment was not so much giving your ***** opinion on THE SUBJECT, but VERBALLY ATTACKING ME about my ***** opinion!!!

5) "Any paranoid individual who had the behavior you describe is not in his/her right mind either,so should probably never handle any weapons at all!"
- Unless you're a professional, licensed therapist, can you decide that I am paranoid? And even if it just so happens to be that you are a therapist, you would have to see me, get to know me and how I think about ALL things, to make a determination of that sort. So I think you need to think first, before trying to psychoanalyze people - ESPECIALLY THOSE YOU DON'T KNOW.
- And whether or not I handle weapons is not for you to decide, now is it?

So in defending my character - for which you decided was lower than low - I'm done. May you have a truly blessed day!!!!!!!!!!!!

[theRespectfuldebator]

1.ok so when you make an argument you are not talking?
2. dont worry about how immature someone is if you make an intelligent argument they will see theyre dumbness. just call them out on their hypocrysy dont tell them to shut up just because their stupid?! use it against them. if you want freedom of speech you have to let them argue.
3. dont get too big on the meaning of words like argue, talk, debate. especially (debate and arguing they are so close to the same) the meaning of words change over time like gay used to mean happy. if you let your emotions rule you when someone is just calling you names youl never be able to make a point.
4. know how someone will respond. dont say something that will only make them call you more names. say something that makes them
defend theyre argument. also realize no matter how dumb they are, we are all people and they may bring something good to the argument(debate). the problem with this country is FOX news isnt allowed to presidential news conferences. Theyre like the only REPUBLICAN station. OBAMA sure as hell doesnt believe in opinions.
All im saying is that name calling is all OBAMA does. And it has seperated us like crazy. do you ever remember 5 years ago going online and getting this involved in a battle against someone you dont know. yeah well thats exactly what he wants us all to do. just call each other names. so let the arguments continue intellignenty!

[CVAME1]

I have no problem discussing gun control. They really need to focus one what guns kill the most people and where those shootings occur. None of that will be addressed. Handguns kill more kids than any other weapon. Inner city crime makes up the largest portion of kids killed by guns. I have not seen one recommendation to deal with inner city gangs drugs or crime. The reason for that is they will not touch that subject with a 30 foot pole. The large cities make it immposible to get accurate records on crime they have entire neighborhoods the police won't go in and the government can't control them so they buy them off. You can do as much damage in the school shooting with a couple of revolvers and some speed loaders. These Hollywood jerkoffs tout gun control along side the president and make billions of dollars off guns and killing people on the screen. The truth is if someone wants to kill they will find a way and then everyone will be shocked again and the media with make stars out of all these ignorant aholes. Google Columbine and the killers names there are millions of articles and information out the for the events and the killers but your are hard pressed to find the victims treated with as much attention as the criminals.

[polisigh]

The NRA ad is a complete lie in every respect. The Quaker school has no armed guards. The only guards the Obama family has are mandated protectors.
Even the most insane criminal cannot shoot people without a gun. Guns do not provide peace or security. Shoot your way to peace.

[nopinion]

I came here to voice my opinion on the matter then I realized that everyone has already made up their mind on the issue. Also ANY comment I submit will almost assuredly be distorted, misinterpreted, or "disproved" by a completely nonsensical argument. Someone will likely bring up England and then someone else will likely bring up Switzerland. More than a few people will bring up solid "facts and figures" from a poll conducted behind a walmart in North Dakota by a girl scout troop 20 years ago. All of this will be pointless because few people arguing on either side of the issue are logical enough to be persuaded by reason or sound arguments. So instead of wasting my time voicing my opinion or responding to others in order to show them how insanely wrong their opinion is and how obviously correct mine is; I decided to waste more of my time writing this paragraph. I guess I fit right in.

[JustTryTo]

It is quite obvious by some of the comments here that a few people forget why this country was founded. Actually that is pretty sad considering the spark that started the Revoloutionary War was the British marching across the Concord bridge to take the colonists weapons. You see an armed population scares the goverment and was meant to. That is why our forefathers created the Second Amendment. From their perspective having just won the war with the opressive British they did not want us to ever have to go through what they did. The guns are not meant for hunting or sport but are meant to arm the American citizen against tyranny. Unfortunately few remmber what that is now or even seem to care they would be willing to give up all liberty believing that our goverment will take care of us.
How about I let you in on a secret. It is not the goverments job to protect the individual. It is not the police's job to protect the individual ask the Supreme Court they ruled on it. That is why we have the Second Amendment in place so we can protect and defend ourselves and our country against tyranny weather that be from the individual or from a tyranical goverment.
Please take some time and research what happened to other countries when gun laws were introduced. Dont take my word for anything just research it you will find the truth if you look. If anyone cares to take the time to look.
As far as the Ad. The truth always hurts!

[MRCATFELIX]

There have been 7 school mass murders in ten years. That's out of 19,800 schools. The chance of being killed simply because someone was in school has been .00005 . 17 of our 44 presidents have either been killed or had a failed assassination attempt while in or out of office or awaiting inauguration. The families of the president are also potential targets and therefore need a level of protection that other people don't need. Paying for specific protection for the president's family that is not for everyone else is the same as using taxpayer money to pay for fireproof clothing for firemen that is not payed for everyone else.

[buttercup59]

As you all well know, opinions are like ********, everybody's got one - so here we go with mine.
You know - let's just call a spade, a f___king shovel, OK??!! It all boils down to this - has ANYONE ever seen a gun pick itself up and shoot people??!! No - really, I'm being totally serious!!! I've never experienced this before, as I know no one else has either. You know why???? - Because guns are inanimate objects - they CANNOT and never will be able to kill anyone all by themselves!!!!!!!!!!! That's like me possibly wondering if the nail clippers on my side table will decide to pick itself up and come stab me (or clip my nails incessantly) without me having to do anything. HELLLLOOOOO - WAKE UP PEOPLE (MR. PRESIDENT), it's the "crazies" behind the gun that kills people. For God's sake, GET REAL!!!!!!
What would happen if all of a sudden, say, instead of using guns, the "crazies" out there decide to use a frozen chicken or turkey? You know, with just the right blow to the head, you could kill someone. Granted, you probably can't "take out" as many people as you can with a gun - BUT, it could still be a killing weapon. So if it became the "norm" for people to use for killing, then does the President force a ban on people buying/selling chickens/turkeys; or a ban on having chickens/turkeys in the country considering what could happen if they were frozen; OR would he put a ban on freezers??!! Decisions, Decisions, Decisions - I just don't know how the President does it. Day in/day out, he has to have these things on his mind constantly, 24/7!!!!!!
Lord, I just don't know if I could be President - what WOULD I do if I had to force a ban on large rocks, baseball bats, vehicles of ALL types, rope, pillows, water, kitchen utensils, fire, avalanches of ALL types, certain farm equipment/lawn equipment/pesticides, household cleaning products, antifreeze, all dogs, scissors, medications - especially prescription, razor blades, knives of ANY kind, barbed wire, etc., etc., etc. (Trust me; it took some time to come up with all those, since I'm not one of those "crazies" out there.)
So now, once the people found out that the President has decided to pass some strict gun laws, what have the people done??!! - GONE OUT AND BOUGHT GUNS AND AMMO LIKE THERE'S NO TOMORROW!!!!!! And guess what? - If all those people have done this, are you going to try and convince me that the "crazies" are not stocking up also?!!
Tell me, Mr. President, is that what you were looking for to happen? - Because it has. Possessing, dealing, using illegal drugs is against the law - BUT, does that stop drugs from either being brought into this country, or being grown in this country, or being used??!! HELL NO - so just as with drugs, guns will always be available, some way- somehow - for those willing to pay for them or steal them.
I REALLY think that instead of rushing head-long into TRYING to solve this problem (just like ALL other government issues are approached) it needs to be thought out carefully and all avenues discussed. But then again, I've learned in the past several years, that the government doesn't take the time to TRULY investigate issues and come up with solutions that work for the people - only what works for the government.

[Maerzie]

Spoken like a true immature, unfeeling, uncaring, unthinking,ignorant, selfish person, who lost nobody she loves, OR HATES, in any massacre by a nutcase with an assault weapon. The weapon used and now banned, is good for nothing except murder. It is never necessary for any activities of target practice, self protection, or any type of hunting. With normal civilian hunting rifles or pistols, by any other crazy shooter, only a FRACTION of that number of lives would have been slaughtered, because "normal" weapons do not have the enormous magazines with a hundred rounds of ammunition, and they are not capable of the rapid fire to kill such an enormous number in such a short time. No normal gun, used by millions of people in our country, for any number of sane activities, has been banned. Why would any fool try to DEFEND insane murderers? Or the weapon USED by those insane murderers? For THIS, you decided you had to cuss, throw a childish temper tantrum, and make a fool of yourself!? Any paranoid individual who had the behavior you describe is not in his/her right mind either,so should probably never handle any weapons at all!

[IHNCbeapy]

Sounds like an article I wrote for our Newspaper back in the 1980's. I agree with you.

[harrypotterlover101]

That's just false. Does 'a kid in any inner city' get death threats daily from anonymous sources? Is 'a kid in any inner city' terrified out of their wits every second by the knowledge that there are thousands of people whose dream in life is to assassinate their father and perhaps their whole family? The president's kids are in danger every second of every day, as is their father. If you would like to be followed everywhere you go by ten armed Secret Service men, you are totally allowed to complain about that, but that's not what you, or anyone else, wants or needs, and I think you know it. And please, feel free to not have an abortion. Feel free to not use contraception if it goes against your religion. But it doesn't go against mine, so I'd like the freedom to make those choices for myself, please.