Gun rights advocates are sending a message to lawmakers following the Texas school shooting -- stop exploiting children.

In reaction to the walkouts that took place around the state Thursday, the New Jersey Second Amendment Society says the country should be mourning.

The group advocates for safe and responsible firearm use.

Its president believes trained gun owners should be allowed to carry on school property, and calls banning them an act of violence by disarming the innocent.

"These students and these schools should have same protection as hypocrites like Gov. Murphy has. While he surrounds himself with armed guards and bodyguards, he tells everyone else no one needs a gun and that schools should be gun-free zones," says Alex Roubian, with the New Jersey Second Amendment Society

Roubian says gun violence is less likely in places that do have armed guards, such as courts, jewelry stores and banks -- and that schools deserve the same, if not more protection.