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A California congressman leading a House Democratic task force on gun violence wrapped up a series of heated and packed town hall meetings on gun control here Thursday night, providing a glimpse into how the debate is resonating beyond Washington after last month's massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

If you, like the majority of Americans, think it's a good idea to regulate the sale and possession of firearms and maybe even ban high-capacity rapid-fire weapons that are designed to kill large numbers of people in short amounts of time, then you probably have high hopes for the work of Vice President Joe Biden and North Coast Congressman Mike Thompson, both of whom are convening high-level commi

Madeleine Melo of Fort Bragg, widow of the North Coast's most prominent recent victim of gun violence, spoke out Thursday night in defense of gun ownership at a public forum convened by Rep. Mike Thompson.

"I strongly support our right to own and use guns," Melo told Thompson and six other public officials before an overflow crowd in the Sonoma County supervisors chambers in Santa Rosa.

Madeleine Melo of Fort Bragg, widow of the North Coast's most prominent recent victim of gun violence, spoke out Thursday night in defense of gun ownership at a public forum convened by Rep. Mike Thompson.

"I strongly support our right to own and use guns," Melo told Thompson and six other public officials before an overflow crowd in the Sonoma County supervisors chambers in Santa Rosa.

Emotions ran deep and opinions wide Wednesday night at a packed gun violence prevention forum at Vallejo City Hall. Many speakers supported gun ownership while others called for greater measures to prevent senseless shootings.

On Monday, Jan. 14, Neera Tanden of the Center for American Progress Action Fund will moderate a conversation with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) on the legislation and policies needed to reduce and prevent gun violence.

Vice-President Joe Biden said he and the President are “determined to take action” in the wake of the Newtown shootings. Wednesday he's meeting with gun control advocates and victims' families. Thursday he'll meet with sportsmen's group and a representative from the NRA.