Erdoğan gifts personalized revolvers to NATO leaders; some face legal hurdles

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan presented personalized revolvers to leaders attending the 36th NATO summit in Ankara, an unusual diplomatic gift that has drawn attention and raised questions due to varying international regulations on firearms.

The revolvers, a Sarsılmaz SR 38 model chambered for .38 Special and .357 Magnum ammunition, were engraved with the recipients' names. Among the recipients was Croatian President Zoran Milanović. His office confirmed that the gift was received, registered as property of the Republic of Croatia, and stored according to legal procedures. The office indicated an intention to offer the revolver to the Police Museum as a permanent exhibit.

“

The protocol service recorded the gift as property of the Republic of Croatia as prescribed by law. The gift was immediately handed over to the Head of Security of the President and stored in accordance with all legally stipulated security procedures.

However, the gesture presented practical and legal challenges for some leaders. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the gift as "surprising" and stated he could not take it to the UK due to import laws. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney handed his revolver over to the police for disabling, while Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten opted to leave his weapon in Turkey for safekeeping and disabling. The gifts, presented in decorative boxes with the Turkish flag and NATO logo, also included ammunition, cleaning kits, and a biography of President Erdoğan.

Unlike typical diplomatic gifts such as food, drink, or symbolic items, firearms are rarely given to heads of state. This particular gift highlights the complex interplay between diplomatic protocol, national legislation, and the symbolic nature of international relations. The summit itself focused on key security issues, including defense spending, support for Ukraine, and regional security.

“

surprising