By Khaleda Rahman
National Correspondent
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An Oregon man accidentally shot himself in the groin while he was showing off his handgun in the middle of a supermarket checkout line, according to police.
Officers responded to McKay's Market located in SW Highway 101 in Lincoln City at around 7.30 p.m. on Sunday, the local police department said in a news release.
There, they found a 29-year-old man, named as Nicholas J. Ellingford, had been injured after sustaining a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his groin area and leg.
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Police said Ellingford had pulled out a Glock 9 mm semiautomatic pistol from the waistband of his pants to flaunt it to a friend while waiting in the checkout line.
When Ellingford went to place the pistol back into his pants, he mistakenly pulled the trigger, according to police.
"As Ellingford was placing the firearm back in the front of his pants near the zipper [and] button areas, he accidentally pulled the trigger causing the firearm to discharge," Sgt. Jeffrey Winn said in the release.
Police added that the bullet tore through Ellingford's groin area and exited out of his thigh, narrowly missing his femoral artery.
Officers rendered first aid before paramedics arrived to take over, police said.
Ellingford was transported to Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital and later airlifted to Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland, Oregon.
No-one else was injured in the incident. However, police said a criminal investigation is ongoing and Ellingford could face charges.
"Ellingford did not have a concealed handgun license and his act was found to be reckless since it placed several people in danger," Winn added.
The Lincoln City Police Department and McKay's Markets have been contacted for additional comment.
According to campaign group Everytown for Gun Safety, it is legal to carry a concealed handgun in public in all 50 states in the U.S. However, it says the "vast majority" of states require people to have a permit in order to carry a loaded, concealed handgun in public.
"Although standards and processes vary, most states require applicants to pass a criminal background check, complete safety training, complete live-fire shooting exercises, and be a resident of the state," the non-profit organization's website says.
It adds that such laws "promote responsible gun ownership and ensure core public safety standards are preserved when people carry concealed guns in public places."
Anyone with information about the incident at McKay's Market is urged to contact Lincoln City Police Sr. Officer Jayne Johnson at 541-994-3636.
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