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New Zealand national
30 Sep 2025

FBI director gifted NZ police and intelligence chiefs 3D-printed guns

10:40 pm on 30 September 2025
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Kash Patel FBI Director announced a standalone office in Wellington

FBI Director Kash Patel during his visit to New Zealand in July. 
Photo: supplied

Police and intelligence chiefs were gifted 3D-printed guns from the
director of the FBI.

The guns were later destroyed because they could have been made
operable.

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said he received a 'challenge
coin' display stand, featuring an inoperable plastic replica pistol,
from Kash Patel during his visit in July.

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers.

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers. Photo: Mark Papalii / RNZ

In a statement, Chambers said he sought the advice of the Firearms
Safety Authority - which determined modifications could have made the
guns operable.

He then instructed it to destroy the guns to ensure compliance with
firearms laws.

New Zealand Security Intelligence Service Director-General Andrew
Hampton and Government Communications Security Bureau
Director-General Andrew Clark were also gifted the inoperable
3D-printed replica pistols.

A spokesperson said the gifts were handed to the police the following
day and were also destroyed.

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