D.C. Cops Told NBC 'Meet the Press' High-Capacity Magazines Were 'Not Permissible' Before the Show

NBC's David Gregory has come under fire in the last couple days for bringing a high-capacity magazine for ammunition storage on Sunday's "Meet the Press," which is filmed in Washington, D.C., an area with laws forbidding gun possession within city limits. It has now been revealed that NBC asked local authorities before bringing the firearm component on air if it was allowed, were told no and seem to have brought it on anyway.

(Scroll down for update)

David Gregory holding the magazine on "Meet the Press." (Image: NBC)

Since the show aired with Gregory holding the magazine, the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department launched an investigation. Politico reported Wednesday that police had told the network having a magazine on the show within the District was "not permissible."

“NBC contacted [the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department] inquiring if they could utilize a high capacity magazine for their segment,” Gwendolyn Crump, a police spokeswoman, said in an email to Politico. “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 local news station WJLA also contacted the D.C. MPD and received a similar response that NBC was denied permission.

Politico wrote that it contacted NBC for comment on this latest development but did not receive a response.

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Update: TMZ, citing "well-placed law enforcement sources," reports that an official with the D.C. police told the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) that David Gregory could in fact display a high capacity magazine on "Meet the Press" Sunday.

Well-placed law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... a staffer from "Meet the Press" called ATF before the show aired to inquire about the legality of David holding the empty magazine during a segment on gun control.  We're told the ATF person contacted the D.C. police to find out if the District of Columbia -- the place where the show is broadcast -- had a law prohibiting such a display.

Related:

• Did NBC's David GregoryViolate D.C. Gun Law on National TV?
• D.C. Police Investigating NBC's David Gregory for Possible Gun Law Violation

(H/T: Drudge Report)