Yes you can push the internal brass thing from either side. When it is working properly the internal piece seals the line from leaking. When you plug the two parts together gas can flow through. If you have the right size punch you can drive the entire insides out from the hose side. Once you have it apart you will have an “AHAA” moment! That internal part is actually square. There is a spring a washer and an O ring inside there. The right size O ring are kinda hard to find. I bought some from ebay and they were to big.
don’t be scared get a bigger hammer!
dale