US EditionFBI boss Kash Patel gave New Zealand officials 3D-printed guns illegal to possess under local laws
- FBI Director Kash Patel gave plastic 3D-printed replica pistols as gifts to three senior New Zealand law enforcement officials during July meetings in Wellington.
- The pistols had to be destroyed because New Zealand law treats potentially operable replica firearms as illegal without special permits, which the officials lacked evidence of holding.
- During Patel’s visit, he inaugurated the FBI’s first independent office in New Zealand, a development consistent with similar FBI locations in other Five Eyes countries, and indicated that the new office was intended to address concerns over China's growing presence in the South Pacific region.
- New Zealand Police Commissioner Richard Chambers stated that, following advice from firearms regulators, the police were directed to keep and destroy the replica pistols to comply with gun regulations. However, former FBI agent James Davidson described this action as an excessive response by the NZSIS, suggesting the replicas could have been made non-functional instead.
- The episode prompted mild diplomatic discomfort in Wellington but officials emphasized the FBI’s expanded presence focuses on child exploitation and drug crimes, reflecting New Zealand’s strong gun control culture since the 2019 Christchurch attack.
203 Articles
203 Articles
FBI director gave New Zealand officials illegal firearms – police
SYDNEY — FBI Director Kash Patel gifted New Zealand officials illegal firearms during his visit to the country earlier this year, authorities said Wednesday. Patel visited New Zealand in July to open a permanent intelligence office and met with senior government ministers as well as intelligence bosses and law enforcement officials. New Zealand’s Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said Wednesday he received a “coin display stand featuring an i…
FBI director gifted New Zealand officials illegal firearms, say local police
SYDNEY, Oct 1 — FBI Director Kash Patel gifted New Zealand officials illegal firearms during his visit to the country earlier this year, authorities said today.Patel visited New Zealand in July to open a permanent intelligence office and met with senior government ministers as well as intelligence bosses and law enforcement officials.New Zealand’s Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said Wednesday he received a “challenge coin display stand fea…
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