A 61-year-old man stashed a pistol inside a carrier bag at a garage.
Antonio Belli was caught when police raided the premises in Long Lane, Garston on Thursday, June 17 this year.
Officers said black handgun was found hidden in the plastic bag at the residential garage at around 9.30am.
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Merseyside Police released images of the weapon and confirmed a man had been arrested at the scene and subsequently charged.
Belli, of Allerton Road, Mossley Hill, admitted possession of a prohibited firearm at a hearing at Wirral Magistrates' Court on June 18.
He appeared at Liverpool Crown Court for sentencing in September, when the case was adjourned so more information could be obtained.
Prosecutors today said they accepted there had been an element of pressure put on Belli to mind the weapon.
Brendan Carville, defending, highlighted that pressure and said his client was a hard working man of previous good character.
He said Belli had established and run a business for 20 years and had helped people in the community.
However, Judge Garrett Byrne said he had to impose the mandatory minimum five-year sentence for possessing a prohibited firearm.
He jailed Belli for five years.
Speaking at the time of the raid, Detective Chief Inspector Matt Smith from our Firearms Investigation Team said: "Every gun and other weapon removed from our streets makes those communities safer and this work continues on a daily basis.
"If you suspect that weapons are being stored, carried or used where you are, let us know before they are used in a serious incident.
"You can contact us directly or anonymously via Crimestoppers but however you get the information to us, we will take action."
Anyone who has information about those involved in gun crime, or information about where guns are being stored, should contact Merseyside Police's specialist Matrix Team on 0800 230 0600.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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