Saanich Police Sgt. John Price said the unidentified 60-year-old man walked into a station Monday and lifted his shirt to show the gun to the duty officer, who in turn drew his own weapon, the Victoria Times Colonist reported Wednesday.

Other officers grabbed the weapon and determined it was a pellet gun and Price said the man was then given a "stern talking-to."

"Do not walk into a police station with a replica handgun tucked down the front of your pants," he said.

He said there are federal laws about transporting weapons and the public should first call police about unwanted weapons for advice on disposing of them.

Price said the man wasn't charged, as no wrong had been done except for perhaps "defying the rules of evolution," the report said.