CFB Gagetown is on the hunt for a C-7A2 assault rifle after a soldier reported the weapon was missing following a training exercise at the base.

The assault rifle was first reported missing on Oct. 11 and it did not turn up after the military police searched a building and the surrounding area.

The soldier responsible for the weapon was the individual who reported it missing.

The investigation for the missing C-7A2 rifle, which is the service weapon for every Canadian Forces member, was turned over to the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service and to Crime Stoppers.

Investigators believe the weapon was stolen.

Capt. Karina Holder, the public affairs officer for the Canadian Forces Military Police, said the missing weapon is being taken "very seriously."

"The military police and obviously the Canadian Forces as a whole, take incidences of this nature very seriously and thankfully they are very rare," she said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service Atlantic Region at 1-888-253-5335, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Tips can also be submitted online at www.crimenb.ca, or by texting TIP212 and forwarding the information to CRIMES (27437).

Crime Stoppers may pay up to $2,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible, or the recovery of the missing rifle.