While keeping good on a promise to fight for the continued right to bear arms, U.S Senator Ted Cruz found himself at the center of media scrutiny Tuesday as he toured a Leader firearm manufacturer.

Greeted by supporters, Senator Cruz stopped by LaRue Tactical, bringing with him his continued fight against stiffer gun control policies in Washington.

"I will fight every day to protect our constitutional right to keep and bear arms," he said.

The freshman Republican called moves by President Obama and other Democrats that push for stricter gun control policies 'political theater' which capitalizes on emotion.

"Not a single one of these proposals that are being bantered about would have done anything to prevent the tragic and horrific shooting that happened in Newtown, Connecticut," Cruz said.

A ban on assault weapons and high caliber magazines would require gun manufactures like LaRue to make some changes to comply with federal regulations.

Gun control aside, Senator Cruz also used this stop in his home state to address recent national headlines.

A growing number of bipartisan critics have been calling out Cruz for what they say is grandstanding. Other critics have called him nasty and linked him to the infamous Senator Joe McCarthy.

“Washington is a rough and tumble place, and I certainly don't mind if some will take shots at me," Cruz said.

But Cruz says people shouldn't be surprised with what he's doing and he has campaigned on it for two years.

"I have to admit I find it amusing that those in Washington are puzzled when someone actually does what they said they would do," he said.

Following the news conference, Senator Cruz spoke with reporters at length about why he does not think the Senate should confirm Chuck Hagel as Defense Secretary. He cited Hagel's former comments on Israel and Iran and questioned why Hagel won't release five years of financial records.