D.C. police said Wednesday they are investigating an incident in which the host of an NBC talk show displayed a high capacity magazine during a segment discussing gun control.
During the Sunday morning airing of “Meet the Press,” host David Gregory held what appeared to be a magazine while interviewing National Rifle Association CEO Wayne LaPierre. Such magazines are illegal in the District, where gun laws are among the strictest in the nation.
The Metropolitan Police Department confirmed the investigation in a statement.
“NBC contacted MPD 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. This matter is currently being investigated,” the department said in a statement.
Mr. Gregory held up the magazine, which is illegal in the District even when they are not attached to a weapon, during a line of questioning about the Dec. 14 mass shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut.
“Here is a magazine for ammunition that carries 30 bullets. Now, isn’t it possible if we got rid of these, if we replaced them and said, ’Well, you can only have a magazine that carries five bullets or 10 bullets,’ isn’t it just possible that we could reduce the carnage in a situation like Newtown?’ ” Mr. Gregory asked.
The incident prompted an outcry on Twitter, where many observers questioned why Mr. Gregory was being permitted to violate city law.
• Andrea Noble can be reached at anoble@washingtontimes.com.
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