D.C. police investigating "Meet the Press" over gun prop

NBC News' David Gregory holds up a high capacity magazine to demonstrate a point while interviewing NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre on "Meet the Press" Sunday morning. / NBC News

WASHINGTON District of Columbia police say they are investigating an incident in which NBC News reporter David Gregory displayed what he described as a high-capacity ammunition magazine on "Meet the Press."

Gun laws in the nation's capital generally restrict the possession of high-capacity magazines, regardless of whether the device is attached to a firearm.

"NBC contacted (the 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. This matter is currently being investigated," police spokeswoman Gwendolyn Crump said in a written statement. She declined to comment further on the investigation.

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While interviewing National Rifle Association CEO Wayne LaPierre for Sunday's program, Gregory held an object, apparently as a prop to make a point, and said it was a magazine that could hold 30 rounds.

"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 ten bullets,' isn't it just possible that we could reduce the carnage in a situation like Newtown?"' Gregory asked, referring to the December 14 mass shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut.

LaPierre replied: "I don't believe that's going to make one difference. There are so many different ways to evade that even if you had that" ban.

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Gun control has been a hotly debated topic since a gunman opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary school two weeks ago. Frank Luntz, a Republican strategist who did polling for Mayors Against Guns, said on CBS "This Morning" Wednesday that most Americans want stricter gun laws.

"I don't think the NRA is listening, I don't think they understand," Luntz said. "I think they can protect the Second Amendment rights and yet agree that not every human being should own a gun, that not every gun should be available anytime, anywhere, for anyone,"

"Meet the Press" is generally taped in Washington.

An NBC News spokeswoman declined to comment Wednesday.

[PaulRevere2013]

JOE_X-2009 Commented that I should take a ride out into traffic. CBS removed the offensive post due to violations of TOS. Thanks for honoring your TOS agreement! I think that this will keep JOE_X-2009 from further flaming and should send a message to all that harrassment and threats will not be tolerated in a public forum.

[dlamminen7]

What a hypocritic liberal dork. He shouts for more gun laws while breaking one of the suggested laws he endorses. In addition he criticizes the NRA suggestion to put armed security in public schools while his children attend a private school costing $34,000 per student a year to attend and has 11 full time security officers on it's payroll, with security offices on campus.

[rktsci3127]

David should just be locked up for life if not longer! Make an example of him and keep the District of Columbia gun free.

[matt6052]

There were resources to prosecute Gilbert Areanas. There are resources aplenty to prosecute David Gregory.

Cheer up though. Gilbert Arenas has found work in pro basketball. He now plays for the Shanghai Sharks.

[coolguyw7]

To own a gun in the US, is what is called the tangible freedom of independence!

[matt6052]

Gilbert Arenas was a Washington Wizards basketball player who stored legal guns in his personal locker in the Wizards private locker room. Now he plays for the Shanghai Sharks.

Gregory is up against a very large community of individuals who have been dealt with harshly for violating DC's gun laws.

[patric627]

so THIS is what the wondrous police is doing with their time to combat the problem of gun violence??!
unbelievable. they have nothing better to do than to 'investigate' (one of their favorite overused terms/activities) this stuff.
damn pathetic.
it's bad enough that people can't get rational regarding increasing gun control, but the police waste time over this.
again, pathetic. go find the losers actually using guns.

[coolguyw7]

Oh so you are saying that if a reporter or a person YOU think of as Highly is breaking the law its OK because in your eyes he is addressing a problem, Again in YOUR eyes he is above the LAW and you think poor people are the real criminals or say people who have to survive in the ghetto are criminals. The Police in this case are right to investigate this guy or his producer, this shows lack of judgment and the Law is the Law nobody is above the law!

[PaulRevere2013]

They want your guns so you won't resist when they try to put their fingers in your ass.

[PaulRevere2013]

Why? Do you want me to get killed?

[sprocketman]

If that piece of metal is lacking internal spring and pressure plate then it can no longer be designated as a 30 round clip (as described in the US patent details) and then merely a prop representing the outside surface of a clip. But it does reveal the extent NRA faithful will go to vilify anyone who dares cross their path.

[Candlemas7]

LET US NOT TAKE THE PATH OF FEAR, HATE OR ANGER. We will be the agents of our own destruction and loss of what we hold dear.
Those who hold guns arguing that they do it for security and for freedom, have taken away security and freedom from our communities, our nation and ironically, destroy their own lives at the end.

[BodyIsNowWeapon]

Where does this "control" end? Is it just guns? What about an evil group of people who only use knives? Theres alot of those people, and not to say bombs.. see the one who is afriad is you because guns scare you but its the humans that decide what to do with the hands they have. This has nothing to do with the instrument in thier hand be it a detonator or a trigger or a knife. If you choose to be unarmed in the reality we live in that is your choice, let responsible free people make thier own decisions. It goes far beyond security and freedom, its like me telling you that you cannot be a boxer in life because fists hurt (potentially kill) people.

[nancy_naive]

Ooooh, oooh, or those that defenestrate!

[smartalecq]

unbelievable incompetence by the DC police. Media asks permission to use a magazine clip for the show and they act like bureaucrats.

The Governor should fire these DC policemen for being idiots.

[Jaytherational]

If those magazines are illegal in DC why should the police allow for someone to bring one in? It is stupid that it is illegal sure but it is and when you posses one thats your choice. If he wernt trying to attack people who have them I might have sympathy. This just proves the point that though they are banned anyone with will can get one. He is arguing to make those things illegal which would put other people in jail. So if thats what he believes then he should go to jail.I dont believe that they should be illegal but I wouldnt bring an illegal one into that area. If they outlaw them where I live I wont buy anotherone but I will not give up the ones I have