Republican presidential candidate John Kasich gave a strong defense of gun rights in the wake of a mass shooting Thursday in Oregon.

Asked during an interview with NBC News's Peter Alexander about the topic, Kasich emphasized the need for gun rights, suggesting people may want guns after a string of mass shootings.

He also questioned the effectiveness of gun control laws, saying troubled people and criminals always seem to find them.

ADVERTISEMENT

"Look, one thing you learn is, you can strip all the guns away but the people who are going to commit crimes or have problems are always going to have the guns," Kasich said. "And I think more and more people feel like, 'I'd like to be able to protect myself.' "