In the name of thorough reporting, host David Gregory held up what he said was a “magazine for ammunition that carries 30 bullets” while interviewing NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre on Sunday’s edition of Meet the Press. Turns out, that’s actually illegal in D.C.
According to NPR, D.C.’s official code states that: “No person in the District shall possess, sell, or transfer any large capacity ammunition feeding device regardless of whether the device is attached to a firearm.” And police are already on it.
As of this morning, the Metropolitan Police Department confirmed to the Washington Post that they are “investigating the matter.”
Granted, Gregory was asking LaPierre whether high-capacity ammunition magazines should be banned. So maybe that’s his defense?
UPDATE: Politico is reporting that MPD told NBC ahead of time that it was “not permissible” to show a high-capacity gun magazine on air. “NBC contacted [the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department] inquiring if they could utilize a high capacity magazine for their segment. NBC was informed that possession of a high capacity magazine is not permissible and their request was denied,” police spokeswoman Gwendolyn Crump said in an email.
What’s more, Gregory will not host this Sunday’s show, though NBC says he was already scheduled to go on vacation.
