FBI Director's Gun Gaffe: 3D-Printed Pistols Destroyed in New Zealand!
Former FBI Director Kash Patel's visit to New Zealand in July to inaugurate the FBI's first office in Wellington has sparked controversy. Patel gifted three senior New Zealand security officials 3D-printed replica pistols as part of a display stand, but these gifts were later destroyed by authorities because they violated the country's strict gun laws.
New Zealand has some of the strictest firearm regulations in the world, especially after the tragic Christchurch massacre in 2019. Pistols are heavily restricted, requiring a specific permit in addition to a general gun license. Furthermore, 3D-printed guns require an extra layer of authorization.
According to reports, the replica pistols were deemed inoperable before being gifted. However, New Zealand law treats inoperable firearms as operable if they can be modified to become functional. Upon receiving the gifts, the recipients sought legal advice, and regulators ultimately determined that the items could not be legally kept.
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers confirmed that he ordered the firearms to be “retained and destroyed.” The FBI has declined to comment on the incident, including what permissions, if any, Patel sought before bringing the replicas into New Zealand.
The incident has drawn mixed reactions. While some critics have seized on the gaffe, others have dismissed it as an overreaction. Former FBI agent James Davidson, a past critic of Patel, called the destruction “an overreaction” and suggested the gesture was made in good faith.
This incident adds to the scrutiny Patel has faced recently, including criticism related to the investigation into the Charlie Kirk assassination and his comments on the January 6th investigation.
Key Takeaways:
- Kash Patel gifted 3D-printed replica pistols to New Zealand security officials.
- New Zealand's strict gun laws led to the destruction of the gifts.
- The FBI has declined to comment on the matter.
- The incident has sparked mixed reactions, with some calling it an overreaction.