David Gregory Broke Gun Law, Newly Revealed Arrest Affidavit Shows (Video)
David Gregory nearly traded in a sensible navy suit for an orange jumper, when the former “Meet the Press” host brandished an illegal high-capacity magazine on a 2012 episode, according to an affidavit revealed recently.
During a Dec. 2012 segment on his NBC News program in which he debated the National Rifle Association, Gregory made his point with a real prop. As a result, an affidavit for his arrest on misdemeanor weapons charges was filled out in Washington, D.C., though the anchor was never taken in.
The magazine was not loaded with ammunition, and NBC News was aware of the illegality before Gregory pulled the on-air stunt, the legal document — which was obtained by Judicial Watch and made the media rounds on Friday and Saturday — shows.
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Though much personal information is blacked out on the Superior Court in the District of Columbia Criminal Division’s Affidavit In Support of an Arrest Warrant, the details are there: An NBC News reporter originally received incorrect information suggesting that the ammo was illegal, but the high-capacity magazine would be OK for civilians to possess.
That was quickly cleared up via an email swap between NBC News and a Metropolitan Police Department employee, who informed the reporter via a producer that “possession of high-capacity magazines is a misdemeanor under Title #7 of the DC Code.”
The police employee then added: “We would suggest utilizing photographs for their presentation.”
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However, during an interview with NRA President Wayne LaPierre, Gregory displayed the illegal magazine anyway, describing it as holding 30 rounds of ammunition. Later, the journalist held up another clip — one that could hold five to 10 rounds — for comparative purposes.
As a result, an affiant assigned to the investigation went to where they believed Gregory lived, but got no response from inside the home. Furthermore, NBC would not confirm that the “Meet the Press” episode in question was filmed at its regular location, thus not revealing if the magazine was in D.C. or not. Later, someone turned the clip into authorities in Virginia.
The affidavit concludes by recommending a warranty for the arrest of Gregory; however, it was stamped as “Declined” on Jan. 11, 2013.
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NBC News did not immediately respond to TheWrap‘s request for comment on the matter. We also attempted to seek comment from Gregory via his publisher, Simon and Schuster, but that request also yielded nothing at the time of this writing.
Gregory has not posted on social media since the affidavit was leaked.
Watch the NRA interview in question:
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