Two men dressed in camouflage with what turned out to be fake guns were arrested outside an anime convention in downtown Gatineau Friday afternoon but police now believe neither had criminal intentions.

Gatineau police approached the arrests as "high risk" due to reports that the men were armed. The men, found to be in possession of an air gun and a plastic gun, did not resist arrest, police said.

Gatineau police spokesperson Pierre Lanthier warned convention-goers to be careful when choosing a costume.

"If you want to attend an event like that, don't walk on the street dressed like that," Lanthier said. "Even if it's fake arms, you might be stopped by a police officer and quetioned by a police officer.

Police received reports that two suspicious-looking men — one wearing a mask — could be armed outside the Palais des Congrès conference centre around 1 p.m. The building on Promenade du Portage is hosting G-Anime, a three-day anime and manga convention.

The canine unit assisted with the arrests.

Police released the men after giving them $270 fines.