December 26, 2012 - 8:35 AM
WASHINGTON - Police in the U.S. capital say they are investigating an incident in which the host of a leading television interview program displayed what he described as a high-capacity ammunition magazine.
Police spokesman Tisha Gant said Wednesday the department is investigating whether NBC reporter David Gregory may have violated city firearms laws that ban the possession of high-capacity magazines. She declined to comment further on the probe.
While interviewing Wayne LaPierre, chief executive of the National Rifle Association, a gun advocacy group, on his "Meet the Press" 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 recent mass shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut.
LaPierre replied: "I don't believe that's going to make one difference."
High-capacity ammunition magazines are banned in the capital district, regardless of whether they are attached to a firearm. "Meet the Press" is generally taped in Washington.
An email seeking comment from NBC was not immediately returned.
News from © The Associated Press, 2012