Former President Bill Clinton hit upon a variety of themes tonight during a 46-minute campaign stop at the University of Toledo on behalf of his wife, Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton, but perhaps none as hard gun control.

After being introduced by former Arizona congressman Gabby Giffords and her husband, NASA astronaut Mark Kelly, Mr. Clinton launched into his own tirade against the NRA, stating that his wife would stand up to the powerful gun lobby if elected president.

One heckler near the front of the audience, with the video on his cell phone aimed at Mr. Clinton, yelled out comparisons between gun control and Russia, accusing Mr. Clinton of supporting a communist agenda.

The heckler gave no resistance as he was escorted out by security.

Mr. Clinton, saying he doesn’t want “to behave the way the Trumps do,” asked the man to stay and listen to what he said. The man left, anyway.

“One thing they have in common is they’re all chicken in the end,” Mr. Clinton told the audience, which gave him rousing applause for how he handled the situation. 

Thomas Jaksetic, Toledo Fire and Rescue deputy chief, said 510 people attended the event. The audience, because of space limitations, was limited to 763 people.

Local officials in attendance included Toledo Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson, who introduced Ms. Giffords and her husband, and Councilman Larry Sykes, Councilman Tyrone Riley, state Rep. Michael Ashford (D., Toledo) and Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Dean Mandros.

Many Hillary Clinton supporters, carrying blue-and-white placards with her first name printed on them, began entering the University of Toledo’s Memorial Field House Town Square about 6:50 p.m. after standing in line outside about an hour.

Others attendees include UT women’s basketball coach Tricia Cullop and UT officials, including Frank Calzonetti, UT geography professor and vice president of government relations.

With less than 10 minutes before the scheduled start, 488 people had entered the building, according to a fire marshal who said no more than 763 would be allowed in per fire code.

Contact Tom Henry at: thenry@theblade.com, 419-724-6079, or via Twitter @ecowriterohio.

First Published March 13, 2016, 12:28 a.m.