Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett ordered the destruction of a 3D-printed imitation pistol that was gifted by FBI Director Kash Patel to her predecessor, Reece Kershaw.
The replica weapon was presented during Patel's official visit to Australia and New Zealand in July last year.
According to documents released under freedom of information laws, the gift was initially displayed in the commissioner's office and received enthusiastic responses from AFP staff.
One text message from an AFP member included a photo of the item with the caption: "Directors gift to the boss!!
3D"
An email from a staff member in Kershaw's office expressed gratitude: "Thanks so much for your help over the last two days with the FBI gun – now being displayed proudly in the commissioner's office!"
However, the excitement ended shortly after Krissy Barrett took over as AFP commissioner in October last year.
An AFP spokesperson confirmed that Barrett ordered the prompt destruction of the display piece, described as a challenge coin display featuring a 3D-printed imitation pistol.
"After receipt, the display pistol was examined by the AFP’s forensic firearms team, which verified it as an inoperable, imitation pistol," the spokesperson said.
"AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett ordered the destruction of the gift when she became commissioner in October 2025."
The gift registry documents indicate the replica weapon was destroyed based on advice from the ACT Firearms Registry.
A similar incident occurred in New Zealand, where three replica pistols gifted by Patel to local officials were destroyed in accordance with domestic gun laws.
New Zealand law enforcement agencies categorized the items as challenge coin display stands that included an inoperable 3D-printed weapon, which was destroyed after being deemed potentially operable.
Despite the destruction of the imitation gun, the released documents show that Kershaw received approval upon his retirement to keep a bottle of Woodford Reserve bourbon valued between A$51 and A$100.
The Atlantic previously reported that Patel routinely gifts personalized bottles of Woodford Reserve engraved with his name, title, and an FBI shield.
In response to reports about the custom bourbon gifts, FBI Assistant Director Ben Williamson defended the practice in a statement to The Guardian.
"The Atlantic’s premise is false and misleading.
The bottles in question are part of a common practice in the FBI that started well over a decade ago, long before Director Patel arrived," Williamson said.
"Senior Bureau officials have long exchanged commemorative items in formal gift settings consistent with ethics rules.
Director Patel has followed all applicable ethical guidelines and pays for any personal gift himself," the statement added.
The released Australian documents do not specify if the bourbon bottle gifted to Kershaw carried any personalization.
