Spitzee elementary school in High River was locked down for a brief time this afternoon.

Staff Sergeant Robin Alexander says the RCMP received a call just before one o'clock, when two people wearing camouflage and carrying what appeared to be rifles met up with a couple of people walking west of George Lane park.

"When they came across these two individuals they startled each other and the camo-clad individuals took off into the bush which further alarmed them so they called us and after about 90 minutes of searching the area we located these guys, they were armed with air soft rifles and indicated they were practicing for the upcoming air soft season," Staff Sergeant Alexander says.

Surprisingly he says they get a call about this sort of thing about every month and a half and he's worried if someone doesn't react the right way when approached by police it could end tragically since the rifles are very realistic.

"These firearms look very real, people are sensitive to people walking around with guns, particularly in town, and when they're dressed up in army fatigues, if they don't comply immediately with police direction a tragedy could occur on both ends," he says.

Staff Sgt. Alexander suggests people who are pursuing the hobby should do it in a safe area where people know what the participants are doing and police won't have to respond.