ANKARA: Western leaders came to Türkiye to discuss security in an increasingly risky world. They each left with a handgun and six bullets. The unconventional gift given by the host of this week’s NATO summit, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was intended to highlight his country’s growing defense industry.But it left officials across the coalition scratching their heads. Some had to leave their gifts behind due to gun laws in their countries, while others donated their gifts to museums. “I’m astounded that my gift of maple syrup is kind of unparalleled,” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters, adding that the firearm was now in the possession of police. “I would like to reassure Canadians that they are keeping the weapons away from me.”“An unusual gift from President Erdogan at the NATO summit: a magnum pistol with ammunition with my name engraved on it,” new Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar said on the X website, posting a photo of a display box containing the pistol and six cartridges.European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s spokesman said the European Commission President thanked Erdogan for the gift, which will be withdrawn from service and donated to a military museum. In Greece, officials said the firearm would be donated to the Military Museum.Outgoing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told reporters that the gift bag included a note waiving export controls. However, it was left behind to be decommissioned, as it would be illegal to import it into Britain.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever handed over his gun to the police upon his arrival. Officials said that the two pistols, which were gifted by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, were left at their countries’ embassies in Ankara and would also be taken out of service.The White House did not immediately respond to questions regarding Erdogan’s gift to leaders of NATO countries.Turkish media reports identified the pistols as Gumusai. 357 Magnum, an antique six-shot revolver produced by the Turkish state arms manufacturer, MKE. Gun culture is deeply rooted in Türkiye. The Umut Vakvi Foundation, a foundation that works for gun control, says incidents of gun violence have reached alarming levels, with more than 2,700 cases reported last year in the country of 86 million.