FBI Director Kash Patel gifted 3D-printed replica pistols to top level law enforcement in New Zealand – but there was a big problem.
FBI Director Kash Patel gifted 3D-printed replica pistols to top level law enforcement in New Zealand – but there was a big problem.
FBI chief’s gift of replica guns; triggers controversy in New Zealand
During his July 2025 visit to New Zealand, FBI Director Kash Patel, gifted 3D-printed replica pistols to top-level law enforcement and intelligence officials.
The move, though intended as a gesture of goodwill, clashed with New Zealand’s strict gun laws and led to the destruction of the items; raising diplomatic eyebrows.
A grand opening, and an unexpected gift
According to Associated Press, Patel was in Wellington to open the FBI’s first independent office in New Zealand.
At the ceremony and subsequent meetings, he presented the plastic pistols as a part of custom display for at least five senior security figures, including police and intelligence leaders.
Tight gun laws left no room for exceptions
New Zealand, has stringent firearms regulations and possession of a pistol, replica or otherwise requires a specific license in addition to a standard gun permit.
Officials who received the gifts could not legally retain them without such authorization, and there was no indication they had it.
No word from Patel or the FBI
When contacted by the Associated Press, Patel’s spokesperson declined to comment.
New Zealand Customs, did not reveal whether Patel declared the items upon entering the country, with a legal requirement for weapons or weapon parts.
Gifted pistols deemed “potentially operable”
According to Police Commissioner Richard Chambers, the 3D-printed pistols were reviewed by firearms regulators and found to be potentially operable.
Under New Zealand law, even inoperable guns are treated as real firearms if they can be modified for use.
The gifts were therefore confiscated and destroyed.
Who got the gifts?
Among those who received the displays, were Police Commissioner Chambers, NZSIS Director General Andrew Hampton, and GCSB Director General Andrew Clark.
In a rare joint statement, their agencies confirmed they had consulted gun law regulators immediately after receiving the gifts.
Elected officials received them too
Two ministers, Police Minister Mark Mitchell and Judith Collins, who oversees the military and intelligence services, also received pistols from Patel.
They confirmed the day after, this incident was publicly reported, though no further comment was made on their involvement.
Described as “challenge coin displays”
A spokesperson for the spy agencies, framed the items as decorative “challenge coin display stands,” a common form of commemorative gift among military and law enforcement communities.
Still, once the embedded replicas were deemed potentially operable, police acted quickly to ensure legal compliance.
Firearms regulator took Swift Action
Chambers said that upon receiving expert advice, he ordered police to retain and destroy all of the replica pistols.
The move, he explained, was necessary to stay in line with the country’s firearm laws regardless of the symbolic or diplomatic intent behind the gesture.
Former FBI agent weighs in
James Davidson, president of the FBI Integrity Project and a vocal critic of Patel’s leadership, defended the gesture.
He called the destruction by New Zealand officials “quite frankly, an overreaction” and suggested they could have simply rendered the replicas fully inoperable instead.
This article is made and published by Sarah Christensen, which may have used AI in the preparation
