A weapon gift received by Carney during the NATO summit is handed over to the Canadian Federal Police

A gift in the form of a firearm received by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during his participation in the NATO summit was referred to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, in a move aimed at handling the gift according to the legal and security rules in force in Canada.

The gift came within the framework of diplomatic courtesies that usually accompany official meetings and international summits, but its nature as a firearm made dealing with it different from the usual symbolic gifts that officials may receive during foreign visits.

The Prime Minister's Office confirmed that the weapon did not remain in Carney's possession, nor was it treated as a personal gift, but was handed over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to take appropriate measures regarding it.

Gifts received by senior Canadian officials during official duties are subject to clear rules, especially when they have financial value or sensitive nature. In the case of firearms, diplomatic considerations intersect with Canadian laws related to possession, transfer, and storage of weapons, making their delivery to a specialized security authority an expected procedure.

The disclosure of this incident comes at a time when the firearms file in Canada faces increasing political sensitivity, especially with the ongoing debate over federal government policies related to gun control and compensation programs for some banned types.

Despite the protocol nature of the gift, its referral to the federal police reflects the government's keenness to avoid any ambiguity regarding the possession, use, or consideration of the weapon as part of the Prime Minister's personal property.

The incident also highlights the complexities that may accompany diplomatic gifts when they exceed the traditional symbolic nature, especially if they are related to materials or tools subject to strict legal regulation within Canada.

According to what the government confirmed, the matter was handled through official channels, preserving the diplomatic nature of the gift on one hand, and ensuring full compliance with Canadian laws and security procedures on the other.