NBC's David Gregory Under Fire for Gun Clip on 'Meet The Press'
NBC's David Gregory is coming under fire after he showed what appeared to be a 30-round gun clip on Sunday's "Meet The Press."
During an interview with the National Rifle Association's Wayne LaPierre, Gregory displayed what looked to be a 30-bullet gun magazine. The interview was contentious, as Gregory pressed LaPierre about whether fewer children would have been killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre if the gunman hadn't had the ability to shoot so many bullets in rapid succession, Politico reports.
While Gregory tried to make a point with his prop, the "Meet The Press" moderator may potentially have violated the law as well. That's because Washington, D.C., has several laws in place that restrict the type of guns and ammunition that someone may possess, reports Politico. One of these restrictions prohibits 30-round gun magazines.
It appears that gun enthusiasts and conservatives may have played a role in pointing out Gregory's alleged blunder to authorities, the New York Daily News reprots. Critics have called Gregory an unabashed member of the "liberal" media.
The law in question is a D.C. code that states:
"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."
By showing the 30-magazine clip on air, Gregory may have technically been in "possession" of a "large capacity ammunition feeding device," in violation of the law. The law defines "large capacity" as more than 10 rounds of ammo.
So far, Washington, D.C., police say they are investigating the matter. However, they did not specify whether Gregory himself was under investigation or reveal any other details of the investigation.
It will be truly ironic if Gregory ends up facing weapons charges while attempting to make a point about guns and ammunition restrictions. In his defense, the news anchor may be able to argue that the magazine didn't belong to him, or that it was simply a prop and that he had no intent to use it.
Related Resources:
- David Gregory Under Police Investigation Over Gun Clip On 'Meet The Press' (The Huffington Post)
- 10 States With the Toughest Gun Laws (FindLaw's Blotter)
- CT School Shooting Puts Gun-Seizure Law in Focus (FindLaw's Blotter)