Wednesday's CNNtown hall on gun violence was always going to be a heated affair.

But the forum also presented numerous opportunities for the students, teachers and parents of Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, to confront decision makers about inaction on guns.

Namely Republican Senator Marco Rubio, who was asked by shooting survivor Cameron Kasky if he would reject contributions from the National Rifle Association, in a nod to the lobby group's political influence.

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While the crowd cheered the question, such a challenge didn't go down well with everyone.

Notably conservative columnist Todd Starnes, who asked on Twitter what parents would do "if a child lectured and ridiculed a U.S. Senator on national television." Tsk tsk.

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Maybe for Starnes it'd be discipline, but for others it'd be lots and lots of ice cream. Especially the fancy kind.

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Some replies were damn funny.

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Other replies were more earnest.

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Don't you just *love* free speech.