Florida's Rubio Survives CNN Gun Forum Despite Claims To Contrary

MIAMI, FL — If you think Florida Sen. Marco Rubio had a rough go of it after being pressed by a survivor from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School to forego future donations from the National Rifle Association, that was nothing compared to the shock Rubio would have gotten had he checked out his own Wikipedia page. It said that the 46-year-0ld Rubio passed away on Wednesday. The cause of death was listed simply as "CNN town hall.

The truth is that the Republican won points merely for showing up at the nationally televised broadcast from Sunrise, Florida and any reports of his demise were nothing if not premature. The senator's Wikipedia page has since been updated to remove the snarky reference but an article and photo showing the false information was published by the New York Daily News.

While he politely declined Cameron Kasky's request to pass up what has been millions of dollars in campaign contributions, Rubio parted ways with the powerful lobbying organization when he told Wednesday's audience that he wants to increase age requirements for purchasing rifles — from 18 to 21 — and for limiting the size of gun magazines that can be legally purchased.

Rubio also said he supports banning bump stocks and introducing new requirements for background checks.

"I do support the Second Amendment and I also support the right of you and everyone else to go to school and be safe," Rubio responded to the student. "The influence of these groups comes not from money. The influence comes from millions of Americans who support their agenda."

Rubio said he doesn't support arming some qualified teachers, an idea that President Trump floated in one of his tweets on Thursday and during a listening session at the White House with families of school shooting victims and survivors a day earlier.

In Miami, earlier this week a group called Avaaz, positioned three electronic mobile billboards targeting Rubio's stand on gun control. The billboards read: "Slaughtered in school; And still no gun control; How come, Marco Rubio?" They were meant to be a play on the Oscar-nominated film, "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri."

Rubio's office did not immediately respond to a Patch request for comment regarding the senator's Wikipedia page. "Anyone can edit almost every page, and we are encouraged to be bold," urges the free online encyclopedia.

(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)