One of the first public uses of the Winnipeg Police Service's military-style armoured vehicle helped officers get a BB gun off the streets.

"When we were first made aware of this incident — let me make this very, very clear — we were not aware that this was a BB gun. This was described to us as a gun, as a weapon, and potentially a high-powered gun," said police spokesman Const. Jason Michalyshen.

"We did not know exactly at that time what the capabilities of this gun were, and we certainly weren't taking any chances. Visually, this looks like a pretty intimidating weapon."

Police seized this 'Uzi-style' BB gun from a home in the city's Spence neighbourhood. (Winnipeg Police Service)

The police pressed their armoured vehicle, nicknamed ARV1, into action on Sept. 21 after getting a call from a group of people who had been in a vehicle at the rear of an apartment block when a man walked up with a gun and made threats.

The group took off in their car and called police, who identified a suspect and confirmed he was inside a nearby home. Attempts to contact the suspect went unanswered leading to "an armed and barricaded situation," police said.

The ARV1 was called in and its battering ram was used to smash in the rear door of the home. That allowed members of the tactical team and canine unit to get inside and take the suspect into custody.

A search turned up an "Uzi-style" replica BB gun that was believed to have been used to threaten the group that was in the car, Michalyshen said.

A 52-year-old man is charged with uttering threats to cause death or injury as well as pointing a firearm.

"It was kind of a dynamic incident, but our priority is public safety, the safety of our members and doing things with great efficiency," Michalyshen said.

"We're going to respond appropriately. The appropriate resources are going to be deployed. We're not putting anyone at risk, including our own members."

It's one of the first times the armoured vehicle was used and it's important that the public understands why it is deployed and how it is used, he said.

"It's a resource we're very proud to have."