FBI Director Gifts Inoperable Pistols to New Zealand Officials

**FBI Director Gifts Inoperable Pistols to New Zealand Officials** FBI Director Kash Patel's recent visit to New Zealand has raised concerns after he presented inoperable 3D-printed pistols to senior law enforcement officials. These gifts were deemed illegal under New Zealand's strict gun laws and had to be destroyed, according to local law enforcement agencies. Patel's visit in July marked the opening of the FBI's first standalone office in New Zealand. The plastic replica pistols were part of display stands given to at least three high-ranking officials, including New Zealand Police Commissioner Richard Chambers, Andrew Hampton, Director-General of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS), and Andrew Clark, Director-General of the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB). Under New Zealand law, pistols are classified as tightly restricted weapons. Possession requires a special permit in addition to a standard gun license. It remains unclear whether the officials who received the gifts held the necessary permits. A spokesperson for Patel stated that the FBI would not comment on the matter. The pistols were surrendered and subsequently destroyed after being assessed by gun regulators. Chambers explained that inoperable weapons are treated as operable if they could be modified to function. He stated, "To ensure compliance with firearms laws, I instructed police to retain and destroy them." The gifts were described as part of a "challenge coin display stand" that included the 3D-printed pistols as part of the design. Following the meetings on July 31, the officials sought advice from the regulator enforcing New Zealand's gun laws. Upon examination, it was determined that the pistols were potentially operable. Patel's visit was notable not only for the gifts but also because the opening of the new FBI office was not disclosed to the public or media until after it occurred. An FBI statement indicated that the office would align New Zealand with FBI missions in other Five Eyes intelligence-sharing nations, which include the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The visit sparked some diplomatic unease, particularly after Patel suggested that the new FBI office aimed to counter China's influence in the South Pacific. New Zealand officials dismissed these comments, emphasizing that the FBI's presence was primarily focused on collaboration against child exploitation and drug smuggling. New Zealand has stringent gun control laws, which were strengthened following the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings. The country does not have a strong culture of gun ownership, and violent gun crime is rare. The incident has highlighted the complexities surrounding international visits and the adherence to local laws regarding firearms.