Ted Cruz claims that the NRA 'stands up for your rights' just days after 21 people were shot and killed in a Texas elementary school massacre

• Sen. Ted Cruz says he intends to speak at the NRA's leadership conference on Friday.
• He hit out at Democratic lawmakers and the press for, he claimed, trying to "demonize the NRA."

Sen. Ted Cruz on Thursday confirmed that he would be speaking at the National Rifle Association's leadership conference while accusing Democratic lawmakers and the media of attempting to "demonize" the NRA.

Cruz $4 that he intends to speak at the event, despite the backlash.

"I'm going to be there because what Democrats and the press try to do in the wake of every mass shooting is they try to demonize law-abiding gun owners, try to demonize the NRA," Cruz told CBS.

"I'll tell you what the NRA does. It stands up for your rights, stands up for my rights, and stands up for the rights of every American," he said.

Cruz got flak from Democratic lawmakers this week, who called him out for his scheduled attendance at the conference just days after the shooting at Robb Elementary School, where $4 were killed. $4 said Cruz could "do more than pray." Meanwhile, Rep. Ruben Gallego $4 $4 that Cruz was letting "our children get slaughtered."

Cruz this week also walked out of an interview with a British journalist when asked to respond to why mass shootings only happen in America.

$4 asked Cruz why there was an "American exceptionalism" to mass shootings. In response, Cruz patted Stone on the chest, saying: "I'm sorry you think American exceptionalism is awful."

When pressed further by Stone on the phenomenon of mass shootings, Cruz replied angrily before storming off: "Why is it that people come from all over the world to America? 'Cause, it's the freest, most prosperous, safest country on earth. Stop being a propagandist."

In the wake of the shooting, Cruz has $4, calling instead for armed officers to be stationed at schools.

Cruz is slated to speak at the NRA's convention, which kicks off in Houston on Friday. The NRA has $4. However, the group is $4, citing Secret Service safety restrictions.

Also speaking at the conference is former President Donald Trump. Trump reaffirmed that he would be at the conference, $4

Two Republican lawmakers — Rep. Dan Crenshaw and Sen. John Cornyn — $4, but cited non-shooting-related reasons. $4