A reported handgun spotting at Grand Beach caused a bit of a panic — before RCMP learned it was just a cellphone.

Mounties were called to the beach at 2 p.m. Sunday after someone reported a man with a handgun tucked in to his shorts.

Several officers swarmed the beach, which was crowded with people on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Based on the details known at the time, officers were outfitted with all levels of intervention at their disposal, including rifles and stun guns.

Witnesses helped direct the officers to the man, who was found sitting quietly on the beach surrounded by family, including children.

Very quickly the officers realized what was in the man’s waistband was actually an iPhone case, albeit one shaped to look like a real handgun.

RMCP spokesperson Sgt. Bert Paquet said Mounties had no choice but to respond the way they did, based on the assumption that the weapon was real and posed real safety risks.

“Obviously, members from the public expect the police to respond to potential firearms or weapons calls quickly and accordingly,” Paquet said. “While the individual knew this item to be a fake gun, our officers did not.”

The 34-year-old Winnipeg man was questioned and voluntarily turned the item over to police for safe disposal. He will not face criminal charges.

“Unfortunately some people do not realize the risks associated with openly carrying or displaying these replicas in a public space,” said Paquet. “Anyone who owns this type or similar devices should safely dispose of them immediately.”

Last month, United States senators began trying to implement a ban on the cases. EBay said as of July it would stop selling them.