Four men have been arrested and 13 firearms seized during a week-long police crackdown on illegal weapons across Canberra.

Police searched eight properties in Evatt, Denman Prospect, Reid, Belconnen, Phillip, Gilmore, Chisholm and Hackett between October 19 and 25 as part of Operation Athena, a national and trans-Tasman operation targeting illicit firearms.

The four men were charged with a total of 14 offences relating to firearms, drugs and prohibited weapons.

Police also conducted 36 compliance checks on registered firearms owners, resulting in two licence cancellations and the seizure of six firearms.

Three gel blasters and replica firearms were also seized. Gel blasters, which closely resemble conventional firearms, are illegal to own in the ACT.

Detective Acting Inspector Mark Battye said the operation helped disrupt the illegal firearms market and identify risks among registered firearms owners.

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