Forensic scientists are examining a loaded gun found on a playing field.
It was discovered by a member of the public on Chesham Fields, off Chesham Road in Bury, at 2pm on Wednesday.
Officers removed the gun and it will now be examined in a bid to trace its owner.
Det Chief Insp Alex Millett said: "This weapon was just left lying in a field and could have been picked up by anyone.
"The consequences of some children finding it and using it during a game do not bear thinking about."
"I would like to praise the man who found this weapon for calling us immediately so we were able to recover it quickly and without anyone being injured."
Officers from Greater Manchester Police's anti-gun crime unit, called Xcalibre, are working to remove guns from the region's streets.
Anyone with information should call the Xcalibre unit on 0161 856 6479 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
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Savage Mandarin, Manchester (02/09/2010 at 15:55)
A speeding motorist crashes: "..there could have been a Brownies' outing just around that corner."
Old age pensioners are conned by swindlers: "...these are someone's grandparents. How would they feel if....."
One of their own gets prosecuted for dangerous driving..."...he was only doing his job"
OR
"Use a Vectra in the reconstruction, instead of a Transit: that'll sort it out."
jsac1984 (02/09/2010 at 16:50)
Ivor Rash, Oldham (02/09/2010 at 17:00)
Plod (in this case, Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan , regarding a certain Special Constable) says "...The judge's sentence today is a reflection of how serious this abuse of trust was...."
You're obviously anti-police Savage Mandarin. Got caught, did you?
whistlingdixy (02/09/2010 at 20:38)
Judge Dredd, Manchester (02/09/2010 at 16:40)
citycentre, manchester (03/09/2010 at 10:45)
Blackraven, Manchester (03/09/2010 at 20:07)