For an Imperfect World: The Official Rules of Shotgun
In a perfect world, we'd all have our own wheels. But as we all discovered in our childhood years, we don't live in a perfect world. That's where the time-honored tradition of the Shotgun comes in.
Calling Shotgun is a practice as old as the automobile itself. Older, actually, dating back to the Old West, when a rider would sit with a firearm next to the driver to ward off bandits. That little bit of history may be common knowledge to many, but a whole system of rules and regulations has formed over the years to determine who gets that most coveted of passenger seats, whether in mom and dad's car or when riding with friends.
So the next time you get into a friendly dispute with your traveling mates, you can pull out your own copy of The Official Shotgun Rules Pocket Reference Guide, or study the regs enumerated on the website after the link.
[Source: The Official Shotgun Rules via Holy Kaw! | Image: Chaplin/Getty]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
RamblinReck89 4:12PM (11/08/2009)
You'd think these rules would be more common sense to people than they actually are. It's annoying to call shotgun, only to have someone else yell "Challenge!" (or some similar phrase) and sprint to the car, expecting to get shotgun. This isn't a race. I called shotgun, I get it, and you need to get in the back seat where you belong.
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JSams4131 8:44PM (11/08/2009)
hahaha Damn right
Monica Dickey 10:27PM (11/08/2009)
for sure.
I never knew about 'gaping' but I'll punch someone if they try doing that to me!
Jared 12:21AM (11/09/2009)
I second that.
Although, I think the car needs to be in view to call shotgun. You can't call it while your paying the bill inside the restaurant.
RamblinReck89 1:19AM (11/09/2009)
Well duh.
BrianFL 1:35PM (11/09/2009)
When I was a kid you had to yell "no challenge" after calling shot gun or someone could say "challenge" then it was decided in a quick game of Rock, Sissors, Paper. But eventually Shotgun itself was accepted.
Audifanb8a4 4:16PM (11/08/2009)
Forget about the front seat. Sit in the back and relax like I do. Usually the suspension setup is softer in the backseats of a car. Sit in the back seats and pretend your mom/dad/buddy is your chofer and your the General!
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Paul 5:11PM (11/08/2009)
Much more easily said than done when you are 6'3" and no one has a large car!
The rules are pretty good, but I personally think the car must always be visible before it is called
http://everyroadtaken.wordpress.com
XGM 6:11PM (11/08/2009)
Unless you happen to be going in a 2 door coupe, where entering and exiting is somewhat of a hassle and then the added headroom issue if you are tall.
kevin 9:00PM (11/08/2009)
@ Paul
"The rules are pretty good, but I personally think the car must always be visible before it is called"
Our rule was you couldn't call "shotty" be for you made it to the sidewalk. If you called before you broke the plain you were DQ'ed to the back seat.
Soul Shinobi 11:59PM (11/08/2009)
In Japan, it's customary for the most important person in the party to sit behind the driver. I guess it's most relaxing when you don't even have the visual distraction of watching the driver work the controls.
ChaoZ 10:35AM (11/09/2009)
@Soul
It's also the safest seat, as the driver will instinctively turn the wheel to get them out of line of an accident. Being behind the driver also typically means you are not also first hit in a head-on collision. Plus in a left turn situation (or right in right-hand-drive vehicles), a person running a red will impact on the passenger side.
Farmboy 4:18PM (11/08/2009)
Good rules, good rules. Here, here to the glory of shotgun and the possibility of viewing your death from up front!
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JDM Life 4:21PM (11/08/2009)
Slow Sunday huh AB ?
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vic 4:25PM (11/08/2009)
i used to call ball turret but my friends don't have one ;_;
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paul34 4:27PM (11/08/2009)
It depends on who is driving. With certain older family members, I do everything I can to avoid sitting up front... it's too terrifying.
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AK 4:37PM (11/08/2009)
My rule - unless you are carrying an actual shotgun, saying the word means that you sit in the back. I'm driving, I'll decide who's sitting next to me based on his or her utility, space distribution, and annoyance factor.
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Azrael4h 7:19PM (11/08/2009)
That's basically my rule: you call shotgun, you get the backseat, or the trunk. Leave my tools alone while you're back there.
My choice for front seat passenger depends on annoyance factor, attractiveness, and familial relationship. Mom rides up front. Attractive Chinese girl rides up front. Ugly dude goes in the back. Brother's ex g/f's kids go in the trunk.
andre lavoie 4:38PM (11/08/2009)
LOL. I remember a team mate calling shotgun for a ride to a game and I took shotgun anyway... I guess I committed the biggest no no of them all?
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ropeburn 4:58PM (11/08/2009)
I thought SHOTGUN got its name from Police Cruisers,
because the partners/passenger seat has the shotgun.
As for needing to call it.... there was a time that I would not want to ride in the BACK SEAT of some of my friends cars because we were of the age that we used our backseats like we used our parents basements and dorm rooms. ... but even then we rarely called it.
I think I'm too old to be calling shotgun now.
.... ugh. too old.
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