WASHINGTON (January 16, 2013)—A National Rifle Association video referencing President Barack Obama's daughters is "repugnant and cowardly,” administration spokesman Jay Carney said.

Carney said most Americans agree that a president's children should not be used as "pawns in a political fight."

The statement was in reference to an online video from the pro-gun lobby that calls Mr. Obama an "elitist hypocrite" for having armed Secret Service agents protect his daughters at school while not committing to the NRA’s proposal to place armed guards in all schools in the U.S.

The NRA released the video ahead of Mr. Obama's announcement Wednesday of proposals for curbing the nation's gun violence.

The president is calling on Congress to enact universal background checks and ban assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines, measures the NRA opposes.

The gun lobby has instead called for armed guards in schools.