Washington (CNN) Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker -- and newly minted 2016 GOP presidential candidate -- said Tuesday that he disagreed with the Boy Scouts' decision to allow gays to serve as troop leaders.

Walker, a former Eagle Scout who talked about his experience with the group in his launch speech Monday, told the Independent Journal Review that the change placed young boys at risk.

"I have had a lifelong commitment to the Scouts and support the previous membership policy because it protected children and advanced Scout values," he told the online outlet

The Boy Scouts of America decided in 2013 to allow openly gay boys to join its ranks, and on Friday the group's leadership voted to permit gay adults could serve alongside straight ones as troop leaders.

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