At a press conference on Thursday, Republican Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey blasted the National Rifle Association for airing a commercial about President Barack Obama’s daughters.

“To talk about the president’s children or any public official’s children who have, not by their own choice, but by requirement, to have protection, and to use that somehow to try to make a political point I think is reprehensible,” he said.

The controversial ad said Obama was a “elitist hypocrite” because the Secret Service guards his daughters at school. The President recently said he was skeptical of the NRA’s proposal to stop mass shootings by placing armed guards in every school.

“You know, the President doesn’t have a choice and his children don’t have a choice of whether they’re going to be protected or not,” Christie said.

Christie said the public relations ploy made him "cringe" and that the association was demeaning itself and undermining its reputation.

Christie held the press conference to announce the creation of a task force to study ways to reduce gun violence in New Jersey. The task force, reports NJ.com, will in the next 60 days study and make recommendations in five key areas: gun control, drug and alcohol addiction, mental illness, violence in society and school safety and security.

The report was critical of Christie for side-stepping questions about his opinions on a federal assault weapons ban, which seemed petty when you consider that New Jersey -- which has the second-toughest laws in the nation -- has its own ban on assault weapons and ammunition magazines that hold more than 15 rounds.

Nine months and $76,000 later, the UC Davis officer accused of pepper spraying student protesters in November no longer works on the police force.

Lt. John Pike and another officer were caught on cell phone video using pepper spray against students protesting tuition increases at the university.

A report released by a task force in April, assigned to investigate the incident and suggest recommendations for future actions, said the use of pepper spray was uncalled for.

Via:

"Consistent with privacy guidelines established in state law and university policy, I can confirm that John Pike's employment with the university ended on July 31, 2012," Shiller said. "I'm unable to comment further."

Pike, 39, declined to comment when reached by The Bee as he was sitting in a meeting on campus where he said he was being terminated.

Pike's 2010 salary was listed as $110,243.12. He has been on paid leave since the debacle unfolded last year, sparking worldwide outrage, numerous investigations and calls for the resignation of UC Davis leaders.

After the pepper-spray incident, Pike became the subject of an Internet meme, where he was digitally added to a Beyonce video, the U.S. Constitution, numerous paintings, soccer matches, and even...is that "Jaws"?