Armed police were called out to an address in Toxteth last night after reports there was a man with a gun in the area.
Officers descended on a property in Corinto Street at around 7.45pm yesterday (Thursday, March 11).
Two men were detained in a Mercedes outside the address and two further men and a woman were detained in the garden of the property.
Following a short chase on foot, officers also detained a man on nearby Pickwick Street.
Five men were arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm : two aged 23 and 50 from Toxteth, one aged 26 of no fixed address, one aged 24 from St Helens, and one aged 31 from Walsall.
One woman, aged 45, from Halewood was also arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm.
All six were taken to police stations for questioning.
A suspected handgun was recovered in a garden near to the address and officers remain at the scene while forensic enquiries continue.
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Smith said: "This latest recovery means there is one less firearm on our streets that could be used to cause fear, intimidation or harm.
"The force is committed to tackling those involved in serious organised crime, particularly those involved in gun crime, and has dedicated significant resources into taking weapons and offenders off our streets.
"I would urge anyone who has any information on gun crime and the misery it can cause communities to come forward and let us know. We will act on all information and together we can make a real difference."
If you have any information about the suspected storage, possession and use of firearms and ammunition, please contact police directly via @MerPolCC on Twitter, 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre' on Facebook, by calling 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report online here.
