Trump is launching a charm offensive to try to bring the NRA along on new gun legislation while at the same time reserving the right move in a different direction. “There’s no bigger fan” of the NRA than he, the president told lawmakers. “But that doesn’t mean we have to agree on everything.”

Democrats tried to woo Trump too. “We will get 60 votes on a bill that looks like the Manchin-Toomey compromise on background checks, Mr. President, if you support it,” said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who added, “But, Mr. President, it’s going to have to be you that brings the Republicans to the table on this because, right now, the gun lobby would stop it in its tracks.”

“President Trump is showing great leadership on this issue by listening to various stakeholders and he wants to do something concrete and fact-based to protect school children,” said Republican strategist Ford O’Connell. “Because Donald Trump received the earliest presidential endorsement in NRA history, he can move the ball on this issue, but even he has his limits.”