2006-06-13 08:40:38 · 20 answers · asked by jay2010 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
The days of covered wagons believe it or not. When the early settlers would travel in covered wagons the passenger next to the driver was in charge of watching for Indians or outlaws and holding the shotgun to protect the family. Kinda cool huh?
2006-06-13 08:41:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The REASON why shotgun is on the right is because most people are right handed, and...
It's hard for a right handed person to swing a shotgun around to his left side, but its very easy to swing it to the right.
The Shotgun passenger had a wider arch on his right side, and could even aim behind the coach if nessecary.
Now the left side of the stage coach had weak defense... so when two friendly coaches passed by each other, they kept the shotguns on their outer-sides for extra protection, while the two drivers stayed safe on the inner-side of the trail. The driver could use his handgun if needed to protect the right.
It's the exact same way convoys are still done in Iraq!
2006-06-13 15:49:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This originates from the days of stagecoaches in the US that carried mail and money. The driver of the horses sat on the left side, just as in an automobile; the man with the shotgun who was there to protect the coach and its contents sat on the right.
2006-06-13 15:44:30 · answer #3 · answered by sandislandtim 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
On stagecoaches, the person riding next to the driver carried a shotgun to protect the coach and passengers.
2006-06-13 16:02:54 · answer #4 · answered by Lanny W 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Old West , Stagecoach..The driver, with the reigns in his hands needed someone next to him with a shotgun to protect both the driver and the passengers from dangers of the open road..
2006-06-13 15:48:19 · answer #5 · answered by iqixxer 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It originates from stage coaches. The one who sat next to the driver had a shotgun for protection of the stage and it's passengers.
2006-06-13 15:43:17 · answer #6 · answered by hkfilmfan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The stagecoach days of the old West, there often was a man carrying a shotgun riding up top with the driver to ward off attackers.
2006-06-13 15:43:26 · answer #7 · answered by BobTheBizGuru 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It originate from the days of the old west, when stagecoaches were in use.The guard sitting next to the driver is usually armed with a shotgun in addition to his regular revolver., hence the term "riding shotgun".
2006-06-13 15:45:09 · answer #8 · answered by WC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the era of stagecoaches, they required a driver (who sat on the left) and a person who acted as a look-out/guard and who usually carried a shotgun. He sat on the right. He became known as the "Shotgun" or riding "shotgun".
2006-06-13 15:45:07 · answer #9 · answered by Christopher H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Back when bandits would waylay carts (they didn't do it all that often but still) The person in the "Passenger seat" would carry a shotgun to ward off robbers.
2006-06-13 15:43:45 · answer #10 · answered by DonSoze 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋