UPDATE 3.08pm: Police have stood down from a search in central Tauranga for a man who was seen to be possibly carrying a hand gun at 2pm.
Acting Senior Sergeant Cam Anderson said it was questionable whether it was a gun or not but police treated it as though it was and proceeded accordingly.
They have called off the search after an hour without any sightings or leads.
EARLIER: Police are searching central Tauranga after a possible sighting of a man carrying a hand gun.
The call came through at 2pm informing police a man had been seen in town who was believed to be carrying the gun.