David Gregory Violated Gun Laws Following News Show Stunt? Cops Start Investigation

Authorities in Washington D.C. are reportedly investigating if NBC anchor David Gregory violated the law when he held up a 30-round gun magazine on Sunday's "Meet the Press" program, according to ABC News. The network apparently received conflicting opinions about whether or not it would be illegal for Gregory to do so.

As ABC News points out, it is in fact illegal to possess a "large capacity ammunition feeding device," in Washington, D.C.

"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," Gwendolyn Crump, director of the Office of Communications for the Washington Metropolitan Police Department, told ABC News.

NBC reportedly sought information regarding the segment's legality from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives prior to when the episode aired. According to an ATF official who spoke to ABC News, the agency told NBC they didn't enforce D.C. gun laws, but agreed to question local police who'd worked with the group in the past. Those officers said Gregory could display the magazine if it wasn't loaded, a source told ABC News.

"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," reads a section in the D.C. criminal code. The section goes on to stipulate that "the term large capacity ammunition feeding device means a magazine," or similar devices.

Gregory held up the 30-bullet gun magazine in an interview with National Rifle Association vice president and CEO Wayne LaPierre while pressing the leader to answer if fewer children would have been killed at the school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary Dec. 14 if the shooter couldn't access as much ammunition.

When asked by Gregory if reducing the capacity of magazines might save lives, LaPierre responded, "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."

NRA President David Keene said Thursday that NBC host Gregory should not be prosecuted for possibly committing a "silly felony."

"There are two lessons for him there: 1. Don't ask the government what's legal and what isn't legal because half the people don't know. And secondly, that's a silly felony. It's a felony in Washington, D.C., to own that magazine or to be caught with the cartridge," Keene said on CNN's "Newsroom."

When further questioned by CNN's Carol Costello about Gregory's actions, Keene insisted: "I really think what David Gregory did, while he was inadvertently flouting the law, was illustrate in a graphic way ... just how silly some of these laws are."