Kash Patel gave his Australian counterpart a 3D replica gun as a gift. It was destroyed within months

Kash Patel, the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), presented a 3D-printed replica gun to his Australian counterpart as a gift during a visit to Australia and New Zealand last July. The item, described as an imitation pistol, was initially displayed prominently in the office of then-Australian Federal Police (AFP) commissioner Reece Kershaw. However, shortly after Krissy Barrett assumed the role of AFP commissioner in October 2025, she ordered the destruction of the gift. The AFP released documents under freedom of information laws this week, revealing the details of the exchange. According to the records, Patel gave the replica gun to Kershaw during the visit. The documents also include messages from AFP staff expressing enthusiasm over the gift. One employee sent a text message stating, “Directors gift to the boss!! 3D,” accompanied by a photo. Another staff member wrote in an email, “Thanks so much for your help over the last two days with the FBI gun, now being displayed proudly in the commissioner’s office!” The photographs associated with these messages were redacted from the public documents, citing concerns about potential harm to the Commonwealth's international relations. Despite the initial celebration, the display of the replica gun was brief. A spokesperson for the AFP confirmed that Barrett ordered its destruction, describing it as “a challenge coin display featuring a 3D-printed imitation pistol.” The spokesperson explained that the AFP’s forensic firearms team had verified the item as inoperable before its removal. The AFP’s gift registry document notes that the gun was destroyed following advice from the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Firearms Registry. This action aligns with broader patterns observed in other countries. Last year, similar incidents occurred in New Zealand, where three replica pistols gifted by Patel to local officials were also destroyed due to the nation’s strict gun laws. New Zealand authorities described the replicas as part of a “challenge coin display stand” and noted that they were initially considered non-operational. However, upon further inspection, officials determined they might be capable of functioning, leading to their destruction. In addition to the replica gun, Patel also gifted a personalized bottle of Woodford Reserve bourbon to Kershaw. The bottle, valued between A$51 and A$100, was approved for retention by Kershaw upon his retirement. The bottle features an engraving of Patel’s name and title, along with an image of an FBI shield held by an eagle clutching the number nine, likely referencing Patel’s position in the sequence of FBI directors. Following reports of the personalized bourbon gifts in May, Ben Williamson, the FBI’s assistant director, issued a statement to the Guardian. He claimed the Atlantic’s reporting was “false and misleading,” asserting that such commemorative items are part of a longstanding tradition within the FBI. Williamson emphasized that the practice began more than a decade ago and that Patel adheres to all applicable ethical guidelines, including paying for personal gifts himself. The AFP has not yet commented on whether the bourbon bottle received by Kershaw was personalized. Both the replica gun and the bourbon were given after Patel’s arrival in Australia last year. Subsequent social media posts from the U.S. Embassy in Australia showed Patel with Sydney’s skyline in the background, highlighting his appreciation for Australia’s role as a regional ally. Kershaw appears in the footage, and the embassy noted that discussions during the visit centered on efforts to combat terrorism.