KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- An Army veteran who believed he was being carjacked shot a man late Tuesday night, police said.

It happened at about 11 p.m. near 40th Street and Warwick Boulevard. The veteran said he drove to the area to help a friend move.

Police said the veteran and a friend were in a car when another man walked up and offered to sell them drugs.

When they refused, the drug dealer punched one of the men in the mouth and then reached for what they believed was a gun, the veteran said.

"Pulling up shirt as if he had something underneath, and with the other hand he socked me in the face," said the veteran, who didn't want to be identified.

The veteran pulled his own gun and shot the man in the stomach, according to investigators. The veteran said he was trying to disable the man long enough so he and his friend could escape.

"I decided to go ahead and shoot him in the lower left and try to avoid any major organs," the veteran said.

The 29-year-old shooting victim was taken to a hospital for treatment. He is expected to recover.

"This is nothing to be proud up, having shot a person," the veteran told KMBC's Maria Antonia.

The 49-year-old disabled Army veteran said he can't protect himself with his fists, so he got a concealed weapons permit six months ago. Police said he had a license for the gun.

The veteran said last night was the first time he pulled out his .40-caliber gun.

"I feel disgusted that I had to use it on a human being, but I'm not going to be the victim who can't defend himself anymore," the veteran said.

So far, no charges have been filed.