Kash Patel gave his Australian counterpart a 3D replica gun as a gift. It was destroyed within months The FBI director, Kash Patel, presented a 3D-printed imitation pistol to the Australian federal police (AFP) during his visit to Australia and New Zealand last July. The gift, described as a “challenge coin display featuring a 3D-printed imitation pistol,” was initially displayed proudly in the office of then-AFP commissioner Reece Kershaw. However, shortly after Krissy Barrett assumed the role of AFP commissioner in October 2025, she ordered the destruction of the replica firearm. Documents released by the AFP under freedom of information laws reveal that Patel’s gift was received by Kershaw and later examined by the AFP’s forensic firearms team. The team confirmed the pistol was inoperable and posed no threat. Despite its non-functional nature, Barrett’s directive to destroy the item followed her appointment, citing compliance with Australia’s strict gun laws. The AFP’s gift registry records note that the gun was “destroyed on advice from ACT Firearms Registry,” emphasizing the agency’s adherence to legal protocols. The incident highlights the complexities of cross-border gift exchanges involving firearms. Similar actions occurred in New Zealand, where three replica pistols gifted by Patel to local officials were also destroyed. New Zealand authorities described the items as part of a “challenge coin display stand,” but their potential operability prompted their removal. These cases underscore the differing legal frameworks governing firearms in Australia and New Zealand, where even inoperable replicas may be subject to strict regulations.#fbi #australian_federal_police #kash_patel #reece_kershaw #krissy_barrett
