3D-printed guns FBI boss Kash Patel gifted to New Zealand officials were toy-inspired [View all]
Source: AP
Updated 12:46 PM EST, November 25, 2025
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Inoperable pistols gifted by FBI Director Kash Patel to senior New Zealand security officials, who had to relinquish them for destruction because they were illegal to possess, were revolvers inspired by toy Nerf guns and popular among 3D-printed weapons hobbyists, documents obtained by The Associated Press show.
The AP first reported that Patel gifted the plastic 3D-printed replica revolvers to New Zealand’s police and spy chiefs, along with two cabinet ministers, in July. Police documents released this week identified the model as the Maverick PG22, a working revolver modeled on the brightly colored toy gun of the same name.
Pistols are tightly restricted under New Zealand law, requiring a permit beyond a standard gun license. Law enforcement agencies didn’t say whether the officials who met with Patel held such permits. Without them, they couldn’t legally keep the gifts.
After the officials surrendered the revolvers, emails between police leaders and firearms specialists confirmed the gifts met the legal definition of firearms in New Zealand. 3D-printed weapons are treated the same as other guns.
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/kash-patel-guns-new-zealand-pistols-gifts-a2e7146a8423866f837ec372895fef54
And the dumbassery just never ends.
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