Washington DC police won’t be arresting or charging NBC‘s Meet The Press host David Gregory for displaying what he said was a high-capacity ammunition clip on national TV in December while interviewing National Rifle Association chief executive Wayne LaPierre. In the District of Columbia possession of a gun magazine capable of holding 10 or more rounds of ammunition, even if empty, is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Although the device Gregory held in front of the camera “meets the definition” of the law, DC Attorney General Irvin B. Nathan wrote to NBC that prosecution “would not promote public safety in the District of Columbia nor serve the best interests of the people of the District to whom this office owes its trust.” Nathan announced his decision today, the Washington Post reported. Some gun advocates have said not charging Gregory with a crime would be hypocritical, selective enforcement of the law. As of today the Post said more than 18,000 people had signed a White House petition calling on Gregory to be charged. People on the other side of the debate suggest that prosecuting Gregory would be a waste of resources that would be better spent on curtailing real violence.

Related: NBC News’ David Gregory Investigated Over Gun Magazine Use On ‘Meet The Press’