♪ this is "nightline." >> tonight, breaking news. a stunning proposal for a prisoner swap from the u.s. to russia. exchanging wnba star brittney griner and another american, paul wheelan, for russian arms dealer, dov, the merchant of death. >> we put a substantial offer on the table weeks ago to facilitate their release. gun reckoning from the heartland to the halls of congress. >> we have to do something. >> a mother on a mission to ban assault rifles. >> people should be allowed to live without fear. >> as gun industry execs are grilled about the assault-style rifles they make. >> these murders are a local

problem. >> and the former industry insider makes a grim prediction. >> i am here on behalf of responsible gun owners. like me. who harbor a deep fear about what this is doing to our country. also, pay to play. flajay johnson is the new face of college athletics, also a rapper signed to jay-z's record label. ♪ because of new rules, she can now cash in on both. possibly becoming one of the highest-paid student athletes ever. >> god just blessing me. and choco taco. bidding farewell to the classic ice cream treat.

. thanks to chase, angie's not sweating this text since there's zero overdraft fees if she overdraws by 50 bucks or less. and, kyle, well, he's keeping calm with another day to adjust his balance if he overdraws by more than $50. overdraft assist from chase. make more of what's yours.

♪ good evening. thank you for joining us. the u.s. is prepared to send an imprisoned russian arms dealer known as the merchant of death back home in exchange for two detained americans, wnba star brittney griner and paul whelan. >> our governments have communicated repeatedly and directly on that proposal. i'll use the conversation to follow up personally and, i hope, move us toward a resolution. >> secretary of state antony blinken plans to discuss the possible deal during a call with russia's foreign minister,

se se sergei has revolver, earlier this week. griner appeared in court today, testifying for the first time since she was arrested five months ago for illegally bringing vape canisters filled with cannabis oil into the country. >> i did not plan or have the intent to bring the cannabis or banned substance to russia. >> victor bud has served 15 years on narco terrorism charges. he was arrested in 2008 in thailand during a sting. the white house isn't saying much about a possible deal. ashley beesly ran for her life with her 6-year-old son as a gunman opened fire on her hometown fourth of july parade. now she's pushing lawmakers to ban assault weapons, as executives of the biggest gun manufacturers are grilled by members of congress. here's abc's alex perez.

>> reporter: ashley beesly is a mom on a mission, tired of watching congress just debate about gun rights. >> we have to do something. we have to do something. i think you can admit that with the mass shootings, we have to do something about the mass shootings. >> reporter: now this mom is in washington, d.c. taking her case straight to lawmakers. >> thank you so much for your time. >> you're a busy mom. why have you taken this on? >> people should be allowed to live without fear. reasonable fear. the idea that we as a country cannot go to a mall without the idea creeping in the back of our heads that someone could shoot us is unacceptable. that we are scared to send our children to school with fear that they won't come home is unacceptable. >> reporter: ashby knows what that fear feels like. she brought her 6-year-old son to the fourth of july parade in her hometown of highland park. imagining a day of fun and relaxation. >> all of a sudden we heard these sounds that were, like --

they sounded like fireworks. someone started yelling "there's a shooter, there's a shooting." >> reporter: her memories now full of chaos and terror. >> people were running and they were saying there's blood everywhere, people are dead, oh my god. >> breaking news, just north of chicago -- >> revealed a seventh victim has now died with more than 30 injured -- >> reporter: ashby remembers running for her life, dragging her son to safety. >> we just ran. i grabbed his hand and we ran. he wouldn't run, he cowered and screamed he didn't want to get shot, he didn't want to die. and he wouldn't move. >> how difficult is it to see your 6-year-old sort of paralyzed by fear? >> it's indescribable. the look on his face was indescribable. it was such a sheer, primal sense of terror. >> reporter: ashby can't forget the details, and she doesn't want to. that day left a permanent mark on her soul, turning this mother

into a gun control activist. >> there is a whole contingency of women and parents and moms and community members who have gone to d.c., who are going to continue to fight, and are getting more involved every day. >> reporter: so that's what she's doing today. >> the committee will come to order. >> reporter: she's watching as lawmakers face off with gunmakers. >> these acts are committed by murderers. the murderers are responsible. >> reporter: firearms can mean a number of things to a number of different americans, depending on who you ask. >> we will not be threatened with violence and bloodshed because we want reasonable gun control. >> does the gentleman -- >> i will not yield, i will not yield! >> reporter: for some, inalienable right. for others, a lucrative business. >> i don't consider the modest rifles that my company produces to be weapons of war.

>> reporter: today's congressional hearing is examining the responsibility of the firearm industry in contributing to the gun violence epidemic in america. the focus, ar-15 style weapons. >> what we saw in uvalde, buffalo, and highland park was pure evil. >> reporter: testifying today, the ceo of daniel defense, the maker of the rifle used in the uvalde school shooting where a gunman killed 19 children and two adults. >> i believe our nation's response needs to focus not on the type of gun but on the type of persons who are likely to commit mass shootings. >> reporter: also taking the stand, ceo and president of sturm rugger and company. their gun used in the sutherland springs shooting. >> we firmly believe it is wrong to keep people from their constitutional right because of the criminal acts of wicked people. a firearm, any firearm, can be

used for good or evil. >> reporter: ryan bussey, senior adviser to the giffords law center, testified today. he used to be an executive inside the firearms industry. he now regularly speaks about the tactics used to sell assault-style rifles to the general public. >> i was inside the industry as new companies like daniel defense built businesses by advertising ar-15s with slogans encouraging young men to "use what the special forces guys use." like comes they sought and celebrated the inclusion of their ar-15s in first-person shooter games in movies. >> we have a dangerous feedback loop established where irresponsible marketing is helping create and propagate some of this -- some of these gun crimes, especially some of the mass shooters. i'm a gun opener, i'm a proud gun owner. but we have gone far off the rails with regards to balancing responsibility and decency. we have to balance that kind of right with responsibility and regulation.

>> reporter: in the past decade, between the five gun manufacturers invited to today's hearing, only $2 billion has been made off the sale of ar-15 style rifles, and in just 10 mass shootings, the guns created by these manufacturers have resulted in the death of 240 people. >> i think today's hearing really shows that gun manufacturers are not willing to play ball or take much accountability of anything unless they're tested in a court of law. >> reporter: ashby beesly was part of a video featuring a group of survivors of mass shootings. >> my son lost a huge part of his innocence. he is not the same person. he is broken. >> reporter: today she split the day between watching the hearing and meeting with lawmakers, including dominican republic alexandria ocasio-cortez.

>> this is not the way it's supposed to be. >> reporter: she really wanted to engage with republicans like louisiana's clay higgins. >> and i want to say to you, like as a mom, we're not coming to take your guns. >> if you don't think they'll come door to door to seize your weapons, you're wrong. >> have you ever run from a mass shooter? have you ever been shot at by a mass shooter? >> i was a s.w.a.t. cop for 12 years, so you answer that. >> it's one of those things where it's really hard to get people to listen to you. i think we're all people. we can all talk to each other. i think -- i know that in this advocacy, i've had a lot of friends that are too intimidated to go talk and them and i'm like, these are people that we elected, that we voted in. >> i think it's frustrating for a lot of the american electorate. 80%, 90% of americans are open to something changing. they're sitting there, they're feeling disenfranchised. this hearing kind of shows where that disenfranchisement might be coming from. >> reporter: ashby says congress needs to take action so families

can live without fear. if you come face-to-face with one of these gun manufacturers who's fighting against this weapons ban, what would you say to them? >> i would ask them, how do you explain to your children, how do you explain to your grandchildren, that you produce something that is made and built just to kill people? to kill little kids. to kill grandparents. >> our thanks to alex. up next, earning cash on the court and on the mic. the college basketball player positioned to benefit from the new rules of the game. announcer: type 2 diabetes? discover the power of 3 in the ozempic® tri-zone. in my ozempic® tri-zone, i lowered my a1c, cv risk, and lost some weight. announcer: ozempic® provides powerful a1c reduction. in studies, the majority of people reached an a1c under 7 and maintained it. ozempic® lowers the risk of major cardiovascular events

such as stroke, heart attack, or death in adults also with known heart disease. and you may lose weight. adults lost up to 14 pounds. ozempic® isn't for people with type 1 diabetes. don't share needles or pens, or reuse needles. don't take ozempic® if you or your family ever had medullary thyroid cancer, or have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, or if allergic to it. stop ozempic® and get medical help right away if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, severe stomach pain, or an allergic reaction. serious side effects may include pancreatitis. gallbladder problems may occur. tell your provider about vision problems or changes. taking ozempic® with a sulfonylurea or insulin may increase low blood sugar risk. side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may lead to dehydration, which may worsen kidney problems. join the millions already taking ozempic®. ask your health care provider about the ozempic® tri-zone. announcer: you may pay as little as $25 for a 3-month prescription. and tonight's winning number, 43 yes! noooo... quick, the quicker picker upper!

bounty picks up messes quicker and is 2x more absorbent, so you can use less. bounty, the quicker picker upper. are you tired of washing dishes? well flip the way you clean'em. introducing dawn platinum ez-squeeze. it's a new, upside-down bottle... with no cap. you just grab and squeeze. platinum's upgraded, more powerful formula breaks down and removes grease 4 times faster. nice! no flip, no mess. platinum is also a go-to grease cleaner for your sink, your countertops, and to pre-treat stains on laundry. faster. easier. new dawn platinum ez-squeeze. flip the way you clean dishes.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ when i make decisions as a leader, it's not about me or the folks that are here. it's about the next seven generations coming behind us, making sure that they have the ability to move forward.

prop 27 will help small rural tribes like mine get a seat at the table will be transformational for my tribal members. taxing online sports betting gives us an opportunity to really enhance the lives of our tribe and strengthen the future of our people. vote yes on prop 27. a new chevy is the smart way to hit the open road this summer. the smart way to road trip—. ♪♪ and seek new adventures. ♪♪ go a little farther this summer in a new chevy. find new get up and go. find new roads. enjoy the open road and make no monthly payments for the rest of summer on all 2022 equinox models. plus, get 0% financing when you finance with gm financial. ♪♪ find new roads at your local chevy dealer. ♪

flaujae johnson has dealt with devastating loss. but she could soon have a career like no other college basketball player ever, earning money from her name, image, and likeness, and as a rapper. here's abc's dep rborah roberts >> what's going to separate you? what's going to make you different? >> i come from greatness. no matter what, my kids are going to make it, we're going to make it. >> there's something about seeing that ball go through the hoop, that splash, and everybody screaming. >> reporter: bar for bar, pound for pound, she may be one of the most unique athletes the ncaa's ever seen. >> you either going to pay the price for doing it or pay the price for not doing it. >> reporter: flaujae johnson has been "doing it" for her entire life, now she'll be doing it at lsu. >> just having a university

saying, we'll offer you a full scholarship to attend our university. that's something like, you're willing to pay for my education, pay for this, just for me to play basketball and represent? >> reporter: kia remembers her daughter's journey the only way a mother could. when she was little, you're trying to give her the things you'd give a little girl. >> she didn't love it but it helped her. footwork. she said, what do you want to do? she said, i want to play basketball. i said, there's no 4-year-old girls play basketball. coach said, just put her on a team with the boys. i put her on a team with the boys, and it's been hell ever since. >> reporter: flaujae is in the right place at the right time. legislation allowing college athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness, called "nil," is now in effect. you came along during a time where you can sort of own a piece of whatever it is you want to do. what that is like?

>> god just blessing me. honestly, think about it. what's the odds? i'm going to get stuck right in this nil thing, be able to capitalize -- like i can take care of my family for generations, just what i do in these four years here. >> reporter: the new nil rules mean flaujae can cash in worrying about her other passion, good news for her. turns out when she isn't dishing dimes on the court, she's dropping gems on the mic. at some point, it wasn't just basketball. music? >> yeah. ♪ i feel like i'm speaking for the people who ain't got a voice". >> reporter: nearly 1 million followers on social media and a distribution deal with jay-z's rock nation, flaujae has the potential to be one of the highest-earning student athletes ever. this diamond shining bright early. >> i see you another a special guest? >> hanging out with me, tell everybody who you are. >> flaujae. >> you've been on "america's got talent." you've faced simon cowell.

>> whew. >> what was that like? >> that was crazy. >> i believe we are witnessing the start of somebody's career big-time. >> oh my god. >> i really do. >> simon cowell told me i'm a star. you know how many people he booed off the stage? he told me i'm a star. >> reporter: a moment young flaujae took in stride and learned from. >> deborah, it was a roller coaster. because the internet was in full effect. people were so mean to her. >> when you say people were so mean, what kinds of things did people say? >> everyone talking about, you're going to be like your dad, start repping, all that. ♪ >> you never had a chance to know your father, he was gone before you were born. how is it you were able to connect with him? >> i don't know. you know, he died, but still, that's a connection that we shared through music. i feel like an energy whenever i'm making music. >> what did you know about your dad? >> he was a storyteller, a poet, he spoke for people who didn't

have a voice. >> when you learned that he was gunned down, a crime that was never solved, how did that affect you? >> it affected me more than i thought it would. >> i was a single mom raising her, you know what i'm saying? jason's death was sudden for all of us. >> her daddy and her are alike in so many ways, you know, because they actually have this personality that's just so huge. and they can make people just gravitate to them. and that was jason. i call him jason. camouflage was his rap name. >> you were pregnant at the time. you knew you were going to have a little girl. where did flaujae come from? >> that was not going to be her name. "i'm naming my baby flaujae." we argued three, four days about that name. but after he passed away, a month later i'm like, this is the last decision that he's going to be able to make for her. so flaujae it was. >> flaujae is in the building!

flaujae is camouflage's daughter. >> good to meet you. i heard you got skills? >> yes, i do. >> reporter: from baby girl to shining star. >> here i'm more vulnerable, you know what i mean? way more vulnerable in the studio. that's where i let everything out. can't let people in here, they violent, it would break the whole thing, the vibe. >> i hope my vibe is okay. >> your vibe good, you can get on the mic. >> i've got a good scribe! >> reporter: any heroes growing up besides your dad? basketball or music? >> my mom, for real. it's too hard. i'm thinking, my mom could have gave up so many times and she didn't, you know what i'm saying? so that's why. >> as a mom, that gets me. your mom is your hero. >> for sure. >> i don't see her being nothing but inspiration for little girls. >> i can showgirls, it's another way to do it. you can keep it clean, keep positive, and impact people for real. >> our thanks to deborah. up next, why it's so hard to

say good-bye to choco taco. put it in check with rinvoq, a once-daily pill. when uc got unpredictable,... i got rapid symptom relief with rinvoq. check. when uc held me back... i got lasting, steroid-free remission with rinvoq. check. and when uc got the upper hand... check. rapid symptom relief. lasting, steroid-free remission. and a chance to visibly repair the colon lining. check. check. and check. rinvoq can lower your ability to fight infections, including tb. serious infections and blood clots, some fatal; cancers, including lymphoma and skin cancer; death, heart attack, stroke, and tears in the stomach or intestines occurred. people 50 and older... with at least 1 heart disease risk factor have higher risks. don't take if allergic to rinvoq... as serious reactions can occur. tell your doctor if you are or may become pregnant. put uc in check and keep it there, with rinvoq. ask your gastroenterologist about rinvoq.

and learn how abbvie could help you save. thanks to chase, angie's not sweating this text since there's zero overdraft fees if she overdraws by $50 or less. and, kyle, well, he's keeping calm with another day to adjust his balance if he overdraws by more than $50. overdraft assist from chase. make more of what's yours.

hold on... you're a night manager and mom. and the bill payer, baker, and nightlight maker? that's a lot. so, adding “and student” might feel daunting. but what if a school could be there for all of you? career, and family and finances and mental health. happy birthday. well, it can. national university, supporting the whole you.

♪ finally tonight, the r&b group boyz ii men famously singing "it's so hard to say good-bye to yesterday." many fans are having similar sentiments about one popular ice cream treat, choco taco. a beloved dessert has left us. >> it's the end of an era for

choco taco. >> when klondike made the big announcement about the end of the choco taco, the world paused and gasped. >> the choco taco, a fudgy ice cream treat in a taco shell, discontinued by klondike. >> it's kind of been bittersweet to me. it's been wonderful to see the outcry. the support. >> reporter: alan invented the treat in 1983. its popularity enduring. >> one choco taco. >> reporter: in 2009, "nightline's" john berman enlisted the help of "times" critic frank bruni to taste one. >> zero star situation here. >> that could sink choco taco. >> no, i think choco taco is one of those review-impervious foodstuffs. >> klondike saying they've had to make very tough decisions to keep up with spikes in demand for their other products. you might have some trouble getting your hands on the last remaining choco tacos. >> i really don't have any right now. i really don't want my house broken into. but i will try to get some.

>> yet for some, there's hope for a comeback. >> i think we're putting a lot of pressure on klondike. hopefully this will work, the power of the people, and maybe we can get this product back. >> to the choco taco we say good-bye. and that's "nightline" for this evening. catch our full episodes on hulu. we'll see you right back here same time tomorrow. thanks for the company, america. good night.