I was among the standing-room-only crowd at the Jan. 17 Atascadero Democratic Club meeting on gun violence, which was repeatedly disrupted by numerous obviously angry men. Sen. Feinstein’s field representative failed to show up as advertised, but the other speaker, Dr. Steven Sainsbury — who described himself as a “staunch Republican” — did, and he delivered a valuable perspective.

The only people at the meeting unwilling to control their tongues were those angry about perceived infringements on Second Amendment rights. Refusing to abide by the Q&A protocol, they repeatedly and rudely interrupted the meeting by shouting over the whole assembly and speakers.

It appears the primary tactic of these “gun-rights” hooligans is disruption of the democratic process by shooting off their mouths and interfering with others’ First Amendment rights to assemble and speak.

I hope these bullies have better control over their guns than they do their vocal cords.