The director of Epix’s new “Under the Gun” documentary featuring Katie Couric has apologized after being accused of deceptively editing an interview between Ms. Couric and a group of pro-gun activists.

In a scene from the documentary, Ms. Couric asks members of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, a pro-gun organization, “If there are no background checks for gun purchasers, how do you prevent felons or terrorists from purchasing a gun?”

The film shows the activists sitting in silence for almost 10 seconds, apparently unable to come up with an answer, before it cuts to a different scene.

Raw audio of the interview obtained by the Washington Free Beacon revealed that the activists responded immediately and debated for more than four minutes.

Second Amendment supporters expressed outrage over the edit, saying it was done deliberately to embarrass the activists.

Director Stephanie Soechtig apologized in a statement Wednesday, saying she “never intended to make anyone look bad.”

“My intention was to provide a pause for the viewer to have a moment to consider this important question before presenting the facts on Americans’ opinions on background checks,” she said.

Ms. Couric, an executive producer of the film, also issued a statement Wednesday afternoon, saying, “I support Stephanie’s statement and am very proud of the film.”

Nora Ryan, the chief of staff for Epix, said they stand behind Ms. Couric and Ms. Soechtig, “and their creative and editorial judgment.”

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