Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed that his offering of maple syrup paled in comparison to the custom engraved revolvers presented to each NATO leader by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the recent summit. Carney mentioned that he had not personally seen the pistol but confirmed that it is now under the RCMP’s custody.
During a media briefing after meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, Carney commented on the distinctive gift from his Turkish counterpart. This discussion followed his participation in the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, marking the second segment of his international trip.
The summit revolved around discussions regarding the rearmament and collective defense of NATO member countries, all of whom have recently met the alliance’s two percent defense spending benchmark. The new target aims for five percent of GDP to be allocated for defense and related infrastructure by 2035.
The revolver gifted by President Erdoğan is a .357 Magnum Turkish replica of a Colt Python revolver with a six-inch barrel, manufactured by Sarsilmaz, a Turkish arms company.
Hungarian President Péter Magyar shared a social media post featuring a photo of the leader’s name engraved on the pistol’s barrel. Carney mentioned that he became aware of Canadian officials possessing the gun after discussions by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer about the gift, expressing that it was not what he had anticipated.
Regarding the ownership of the firearm, Global Affairs Canada stated that all official gifts are managed in compliance with Canadian laws, security protocols, and government regulations. Carney disclosed that the RCMP had disabled the revolver, rendering it incapable of firing live rounds. He suggested considering placement in a war museum or a Canadian Armed Forces museum, emphasizing its relevance to NATO’s broader context.
“We will identify the most suitable location for it,” Carney affirmed.