RICHMOND, Virginia — A group of pro-Second Amendment activists heckled former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg at a campaign event early Saturday night.

Midway into Bloomberg’s remarks, one protester yelled, “You’re f---ing fascist! ... You’re a racist!” The crowd began to boo the heckler and chant, “We like Mike.”

The group of protesters, some of whom were wearing “guns save lives” stickers, began chanting “guns save lives” as security pushed them out of the premises.

Bloomberg, who helped spearhead support for Virginia Democrats who promised to pass gun control legislation in the commonwealth this year, boasted about helping the state legislature turn blue.

"I've been to Virginia more than anywhere else ... I have been involved in Virginia politics since long before I became a presidential candidate. In 2013, I was a big supporter of Terry McAuliffe," Bloomberg said. He also referenced the violent 2017 Charlottesville protests, saying, "Of course, Virginia had to grapple with its past while Terry was in office."

"In 2017, 2018, and 2019, we were fighting against the hate displayed in Charlottesville," he said. "Last year, in more than 25 years, all that work paid off, and Democrats took control of both chambers [of the Virginia state house]."

Bloomberg, a late entry to the Democratic race, has seen surging poll numbers despite not being on the ballot for the Iowa caucuses or the New Hampshire primary, the nation’s first litmus tests for those vying for the Democratic presidential nomination.

A RealClearPolitics national average of polls has Bloomberg in third place at 14.2% behind former Vice President Joe Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.