A suburban Phoenix man is recovering after police say he accidentally shot himself in the penis while putting his girlfriend's gun in the waistband of his pants.

Police in suburban Phoenix urged residents to use holsters, not waistbands, if they're going to carry a handgun. iStock

Chandler police said 27-year-old Joshua Seto and his fiancee, Cara Christopher, were walking toward a grocery store when the shooting happened last week. The gun fired, striking Seto's penis and continuing through his left thigh.

The Arizona Republic reported a 911 operator told Christopher to apply direct pressure to the wound with a dry towel or T-shirt.

Police Det. Seth Tyler was unsure of the type of gun, or whether it had a safety that was off. He also said it's unclear if Seto has been released from the hospital or suffered any permanent damage.

In the wake of the shooting, Tyler warned residents to use holsters, not waistbands, if they're going to carry a handgun.