In a surprising turn of events, FBI Director Kash Patel’s gift of 3D-printed replica revolvers to senior New Zealand security officials has raised eyebrows and legal concerns. The gifts, inspired by toy Nerf guns and popular among amateur 3D-printed weapons enthusiasts, were identified as the Maverick PG22 model. These pistols, though initially inoperable, could easily be modified to function, according to experts. Under New Zealand’s stringent gun laws, such weapons are treated as functional firearms, requiring specific permits for possession. The officials, including New Zealand’s police and spy chiefs, voluntarily surrendered the gifts for destruction to comply with local regulations. Patel, the highest-ranking Trump administration official to visit New Zealand, was in Wellington to inaugurate the FBI’s first standalone office in the country. A spokesperson for Patel did not respond to requests for comment. The incident has highlighted the complexities of international relations and the strict gun control measures in New Zealand, especially in the wake of the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings.
3D-printed guns FBI boss Kash Patel gifted to New Zealand officials were toy-inspired revolvers
