Story highlights Bernie Sanders pushed back on the increased scrutiny that Clinton is giving his record

"I stand with the President on gun issues," Sanders said

Washington (CNN) Bernie Sanders said the Hillary Clinton campaign's escalating attacks on him are unequivocally wrong, pushing back on the increased scrutiny of his record.

Sanders, speaking to CNN's Dana Bash after exiting Tuesday night's State of the Union address, said Clinton's jabs at his record on guns and health care were more motivated by fear of his strength as a candidate.

In a new advertisement released during President Barack Obama's speech, Clinton argued voters must "pick a side" between the gun lobby and the White House.

"I stand with the President on gun issues," Sanders said when shown the advertisement.

Clinton and her allies having worked to portray Sanders in a different light, including highlighting the Vermont senator's past votes to support immunity for gun companies.

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