ANKARA, Türkiye: Prime Minister Mark Carney has turned over a personalized pistol presented by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the NATO Summit in Ankara to the RCMP for decommissioning, the Prime Minister’s Office has confirmed.
President Erdogan presented each NATO leader attending the summit with an engraved pistol bearing the recipient’s name, along with a box of live ammunition, as an official farewell gift.
According to Global Affairs Canada, the firearm received by Prime Minister Carney has been transferred to the RCMP in accordance with Canadian laws, government policies, and security protocols. The accompanying ammunition was not brought into Canada and remained in Türkiye.
Officials stated that all official gifts received by Canadian government representatives are managed under strict legal and security guidelines.
A senior government official indicated that, following assessment by Canadian authorities, the firearm may eventually be donated to an appropriate institution, such as a museum, rather than being retained for personal use.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also confirmed that NATO leaders received identical engraved pistols and ammunition. Speaking to reporters while returning to the United Kingdom, Starmer said he was unable to bring his firearm home because importing it would violate British law, despite receiving documentation from the Turkish government authorizing its export.
The unusual diplomatic gift attracted considerable attention, with several NATO leaders required to comply with their respective national firearms laws before determining how the ceremonial presents would be handled after the summit.