How do we put pressure on NBC David Gregory for breaking the law?

[LiveLife]

Update - http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/natio...ir-atf-nbc-evidently-got-conflicting-guidance

NBC evidently got conflicting guidance from federal and local law enforcement officials about the legality of displaying an empty gun magazine on "Meet the Press," according to statements by the agencies involved.

An official with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives told CNN that he relayed information to NBC from the Washington Metropolitan Police Department that displaying an empty gun magazine was legal. Meanwhile, an MPD spokeswoman said her department told NBC such a display would be illegal ...

The ATF official told CNN on Thursday that a reporter with NBC News -- not Gregory -- called ATF last Friday to inquire whether it would be legal to have ammunition or an empty magazine on the set of the Sunday show, which is broadcast from Washington.

The ATF official said he reached out to officers with the MPD to ask if that was permissible.

"What was relayed back to me -- which turned out to be a miscommunication -- is ammunition was not legal unless (in the possession of an officer), but a magazine was not a problem," said the official, who passed along the information to NBC.

The detail about empty magazines being legal in Washington was apparently inaccurate. Possessing a large-capacity ammunition device, such as a magazine, is illegal in the District of Columbia if the device holds more than 10 rounds of ammunition.

The code also specifies the large-capacity devices are illegal, regardless of whether they're attached to a firearm. Gregory showed the magazine Sunday without a firearm attached.

"I don't know where the miscommunication occurred (at the MPD), but I do know that I passed along the information that I was told," the ATF official said.

"We didn't give anyone permission, but we just relayed the information," the official continued ...

The department spokeswoman, Tisha Gant, said the police told NBC it could not use the magazine. Gant said the matter is under investigation.

NRA President David Keene said on CNN Thursday he didn't think Gregory should be prosecuted for possessing the magazine, calling the D.C. law "silly."

"There are two lessons for him there," Keene said. "Don't ask the government what's legal and what isn't legal, because half the people you ask 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 a cartridge. So I really think what David Gregory did, while he was inadvertently flaunting the law, was illustrated in a very graphic way, perhaps not intentionally, just how silly some of these laws are."

 

[Dnaltrop]

Absolutely, yes... he should be charged, but we should defend him as we would our most strident supporters.

The high ground has a wonderful view.

 

[Hacker15E]

I agree - the NRA should do everything to defend Gregory in this issue, while highlighting the exact issues Keene mentions.

 

[splithoof]

Look at it from what his own ilk would have for us: maximum punishment, all the way. If he can be sent to prison, wouldn't his absence result in a breach of contract with his employer on his part? That could hopefully lead to great personal financial hardship and the loss of any assets, both real and personal. Give him both barrels!

 

[zxcvbob]

1) IANAL

2) The maximum punishment anyone would likely face is a $1000 fine and forfeit the magazine. It's not a felony anyway, even with the maximum possible jail-time it's a misdemeanor.

3) It doesn't matter if the magazine was blocked to only hold 10 rounds, or had a missing spring or whatever to render it unusable -- if it could be converted back to hold 11 or more cartridges it is illegal.

4) The Justice Department will cover for him, so nothing is likely to happen even though the police denied the request to show a mag on-air and he did it anyway. (this is the part that pisses me off. He should have to sweat like you or I would, and cough up a juicy fine)

5) NRA should definitely use him as a poster child.

 

[StockKahr]

Update:

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/01/10/nbc-gun-magazine-decision-expected-by-weeks-end/

 

[joeschmoe]

Anyone who lives in/near DC should write to the AG office asking for permission to do the same thing. In the letter state that you will assume permission if no response since Gregory was allowed to do it on national TV and not prosecuted. If not, then why was Gregory allowed but not you?

This should put pressure on the AG to prosecute or create a precident.

 

[Skribs]

I think such a law is stupid. However, I think that anyone who believes such a law is necessary and supports such a law should be tried to the fullest extent of said law. The reason is that this man will have to choose between A) cooperating with the laws he supports, B) realizing that such law is stupid and change his position, or C) be publicly outed as a hypocrite.

It's sort of like the story about King David, when he gets told about what "a man" did and says that man should be put to death based on those actions, only to be told that "that man" is him. After realizing the situation, he received mercy. I think the same could apply here. If Gregory goes with option A, he chooses to follow the law. If he chooses option B, we should suggest mercy. If he chooses option C, hopefully they still try him and convict him...and if not at least he loses subscribers because he is above the laws he tries to promote.