Prime Minister Mark Carney received a personalized .357 magnum revolver from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a NATO summit in Ankara [1].
The gift creates a diplomatic curiosity regarding the protocol of receiving weaponry as state gifts and the subsequent handling of such items by the Canadian government.
Carney said the firearm was presented to him and other NATO leaders earlier this week [2]. The weapon features the prime minister's name engraved on the frame [3]. In an interview published July 9 [4], Carney described his reaction to the gesture.
"It’s not what I expected," Carney said [4].
Despite the personalized nature of the gift, the prime minister indicated that the weapon will not remain in his personal possession. He said that the government will ensure the firearm is responsibly handled and stored within Canada [5].
"We’ll find the best home for the gun once it’s de‑commissioned," Carney said [5].
President Erdogan provided several personalized revolvers to various NATO leaders during the summit [1]. The specific caliber of the weapon gifted to Carney was a .357 magnum [3].
"President Erdogan gave me a .357 magnum revolver with my name engraved on it," Carney said [3].
The prime minister's office has not detailed the specific facility where the weapon will be housed after the de-commissioning process is complete [5].
“"It’s not what I expected."”
The decision to de-commission the firearm reflects the tension between accepting diplomatic gestures and adhering to Canada's strict firearm regulations and political norms. By moving the weapon to a government facility rather than keeping it as a personal memento, the administration avoids potential criticism over the ownership of a high-caliber handgun.
