White House criticizes Sen. Paul's 'props' remark

David Jackson, USA TODAY | USATODAY

The White House criticized Sen. Rand Paul's comment Wednesday that President Obama has used families of victims of the Newtown school massacre as political "props."

"I don't know if Senator Paul met with the Newtown families, but the Newtown families aren't here for the president," said White House spokesman Jay Carney. "They're here because their children were murdered."

He added: "They're here asking for the Senate to do something that's common sense. That's my response."

Families who lost children in the Dec. 14 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., are on Capitol Hill lobbying the Senate on new gun-control legislation.

Paul, a Kentucky Republican who is considering a presidential campaign in 2016, told reporters that gun violence is a legitimate issue, but it is unfortunate that grieving parents have been drawn into the political debate.

"In some cases, I think the president has used them as props," Paul said.