Screenshot via NBC News

The gossip website TMZ is reporting that the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms told the producers of Meet the Press that host David Gregory could use a 30-bullet magazine as a prop in his interview last Sunday with National Rifle Association executive Wayne LaPierre.

According to a “well-placed” ATF source that TMZ contacted, NBC News asked the federal agency if it would be permissible to use the magazine, which Gregory held up when quizzing LaPierre on the need for high-capacity ammunition in the wake of the shooting rampage earlier this month at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn. in which 20 children and six educators were slain. The magazine featured on Meet the Press was similar to the one used by Newton shooter Adam Lanza, who used a Bushmaster .223 semi-automatic rifle to carry out the massacre.

However, the ATF does not have purview over ammunition possession in the District of Columbia. That burden falls to the Metropolitan Police Department. TMZ reports that the ATF did contact D.C. police in turn, who supposedly said the Meet the Press stunt could go on as long as Gregory’s magazine was empty. The ATF then called back Meet the Press and gave the long-running public affairs program the go-ahead.

But last night it was reported that the MPD is, in fact, investigating Gregory and Meet the Press for violating D.C. laws prohibiting the possession or purchase of large-capacity ammunition. Despite the report that that District authorities supposedly approved the prop usage through the ATF, a statement from MPD says no such permission was ever granted.

“NBC contacted MPD inquiring if they could utilize a high-capacity magazine for their segment,” the department said in an emailed statement. “NBC was informed that possession of a high capacity magazine is not permissible and their request was denied. This matter is currently being investigated.”