Man shoots self in leg in hospital parking lot

A man who said he was taking a bullet out of the chamber of his gun accidentally shot himself in the leg Thursday.

Fortunately for him, he was already sitting in a hospital parking lot.

The man was a construction worker helping with the reconstruction project at Salt Lake Regional Hospital, said Salt Lake City police detective Robin Snyder.

The man had just gotten off work and was sitting in his car, Snyder said. The man is a concealed weapons permit holder and keeps his gun under his seat, she said.

He told police he was taking a bullet out of the gun's chamber, for an unknown reason. He reportedly shook the gun when he couldn't see the bullet, causing it to go off.

The man was struck in his right leg just above the knee. He walked himself into the emergency room and was listed in good condition Friday, Snyder said.