A 20-year-old Crace man was arrested after he allegedly attempted to rob a liquor store in Franklin on Sunday.

Police allege the man entered the store about 5.05pm, wearing a balaclava and demanded the shop attendant hand over items from behind the counter. During the attempted robbery the man indicated he had a firearm in the waistband of his pants.

The man left the shop empty-handed, and a short time later police found him in The Valley Avenue, Gungahlin.

During a search, the man was found to be in possession of a replica “gel blaster” handgun and a knife.

He was arrested and faces charges of unauthorised possession of firearms, possession of a knife without a reasonable excuse and attempted aggravated robbery using an offensive weapon.

Police say replica firearms, known as gel blasters, are illegal and are classified as prohibited firearms in the ACT.