Police have been forced to draw their weapons after confronting a man who appeared to be carrying a semi-automatic weapon.
Stunned locals raised the alarm after a man dressed in black was seen carrying the weapon in Morialta Park in Mermaid Waters just after lunch on Saturday.
Officers arrived a short time later and located the man who was also wearing a face covering.
With guns drawn, they ordered the man to put down his weapon, which he did without incident.
It was later revealed that the weapon was a gel blaster.
“All I can say is stupidity A plus,” Acting Chief Superintendent Peter Miles told the ABC.
“It would have been extremely confronting for members of the public to see this, given that we don’t know if it’s real or a gel blaster.
“And I can tell you if he had raised that weapon, he would no longer be with us because you just can’t take that chance.”
A 21-year-old man has since been charged with going armed to cause fear.
He is due to front court on August 15.
