recess. that date, by the way, is fast approaching. but president trump has different times framed this as a mental health issue. he's talked about strengthening the death penalty, having it apply more easily to mass shooters. but it seems like the sense among the allies is that the easiest might be red flag laws. lindsay graham has supported that. and president for the moment still considering red flag proposals as well. >> or at least hasn't out wardly publicly thrown any cold water on that one yet. thank you so much. joining me, cnn political analyst and white house reporter for the "washington post." josh, thank you for being here. you reported on the president's call with the nra, that universal background checks are off the table. what are you hearing about the president being all over this issue and lots of other issues? does he just not want to take any stand on it? is he, i don't know, scared?