NSW 3yo shoots herself in leg with BB gun

A three-year-old girl has had surgery to remove a projectile after she shot herself in the leg with a BB gun on the NSW north coast.

The girl found the unsecured replica air pistol at a Ballina property on Tuesday night and discharged the weapon, police say.

A 39-year-old man took her to hospital where she had surgery.

Police have seized the replica pistol and expect to lay charges.