Protesters in Patchogue used the Fourth of July holiday to get out their message of anti-gun violence aimed toward a Long Island congressman.

The group Gays Against Guns was present at the village's parade, handing out fliers criticizing Republican U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin for his record on gun control. They carried a puppet labeled "NRA puppet."

Group New Yorkers Against Gun Violence was also on hand to remind parents to keep weapons away from their children.

Some paradegoers applauded the protesters, but some others say the parade was not the time or place for such a demonstration.

A spokeswoman for Zeldin says the protesters were "shaming" themselves with "uninformed propaganda on Independence Day." She adds that Zeldin supports preventing terrorists from purchasing firearms, but also wants to protect the constitutional and due process rights of Americans who want to own guns.