NRA agrees to participate in CNN town hall debate on gun control

The National Rifle Association will have representation at Wednesday night's town hall debate, hosted by CNN, on gun control. CNN announced Wednesday morning that the NRA accepted the network's invitation to take part in Wednesday's town hall and revealed that Dana Loesch, national spokeswoman for the NRA and former host on TheBlaze TV, will represent the gun rights group.

Those set to appear at the town hall include students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where 17 people were killed and many more were injured during a shooting at the school on Feb. 14, as well as parents and other members of the Parkland community.

The outlet reported that Florida Sens. Bill Nelson (D) and Marco Rubio (R) will also be in attendance, as well as Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) and Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel.

According to CNN, President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Rick Scott declined the network's invitation to attend the town hall.

A spokesperson for Scott said, "With only two weeks left of our annual legislative session, Governor Rick Scott will be in Tallahassee meeting with state leaders to work on ways to keep Florida students safe, including school safety improvements and keeping guns away from individuals struggling with mental illness."

A White House representative has yet to comment on Wednesday's town hall at the time of this writing.

The town hall will be televised the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida, and will be moderated by CNN host Jake Tapper.

"Stand Up: The Students of Stoneman Douglas Demand Action" will air on CNN live at 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday.