Documents reveal that the 3D-printed pistols gifted by FBI Director Kash Patel to senior New Zealand security officials were inoperable replicas modeled on toy Nerf guns, a gesture that backfired due to the country’s strict firearm laws.
The gifts, identified as Maverick PG22 revolvers, were presented to New Zealand’s police and spy chiefs during the opening of the FBI’s first standalone office in the country. Despite being non-functional, the replicas met the legal definition of a firearm under New Zealand law, where pistols are tightly restricted and require a special permit to possess.
The officials were forced to surrender the gifts for destruction, as they could not legally keep them. The incident highlights a significant cultural and legal clash, turning a diplomatic gesture into an embarrassing breach of local regulations. A spokesperson for Patel did not respond to a request for comment.
By James Kisoo
