Shotgun Rules

This comes courtesy of Dan Layzell:

History Lesson: The name for the seat (or seats) adjacent to that of the driver comes to us from the American "old"/"wild" west. During this period, Stagecoach was the only means of private transport aside from a railroad ticket. Stagecoaches were also a common means of transporting things of value (e.g... payroll money, high ticket merchandise). In this period of lawlessness and in an area home to hostile (with every right) natives, protection was necessary. Alright, admittedly pretty much everyone back then was packing some heat. But for added safety, a stagecoach would always utilize an extra man, right next to the driver armed with a shotgun. hence calling shotgun

Rules So far

1. The Shotgunner must be in clear sight of the car, and shotgun can be called regardless of whether the driver is in sight of the car

2. If you are the first to be picked up on a journey, you are automatically given shotgun, until you violate the other shotgun laws and thus, forfeit your position, and the seat is yours

3. You cannot declare shot gun if someone has previously declared shotgun for that journey.

4. When simultaneous shotgun is called, there is then a foot race to the passenger side door from the all the people who called

5. Shotgun cannot be called whilst inside a building (unless you are in a multi storey or underground car park!)

6. Shotgun can't be called in advance, only whilst on the way to the car for the journey

7. On the call shotgun if the driver wants to mix things up a bit he can call reload, this means that all calls of shotgun before that are void and the first person to call shotgun again gets the seat... and if you plain don't like the person who called shotgun. This is often used when there is a simultaneous call and the driver is unsure of the outcome, also a shotgun can have 2 barrels so a reload can only be called once

8. Rob rule...if he’s in the car shotgun now means back left so he cant punch you every time a yellow car goes past

9. Once shotgun has been called for the front seat then back left and back right can be called, thus leaving the fifth person who is travelling in the middle (or the "bitch" seat)

10. Being as how everyone is created equal, men have the same right as women to the front seat of the car. I.e. women don't own the front seat!

11. In the instance that the normal driver of a vehicle is drunk or otherwise unable to perform their duties as driver, then he/she is automatically given Shotgun.

12. Once the journey is underway, the driver is the obvious controller of the tunes. However if they feel the road needs their full concentration, or they simply cannot be arsed any more, duty is passed to the shotgunner. However putting on crap tunes or allowing for silence when the iPod finishes a song or ANY instances of TAKE THAT will result in demotion to bitch seat.

13. Shoe Rule, anyone calling shotgun must have their shoes on, this is to stop people running outside and calling shotgun, then having to go back inside to put their shoes on, thus slowing the journey

14. Shotgun overrules Dibs, Baggsy's and other girly calls!

15. Despite the debate, shotgun can be used to shotgun things other than the front seat

16. If travelling with a couple, one of the couple must shotgun the front.....no one wants to chauffer two of their mates whilst they are sat in the back all over each other

17. If someone has successfully called shotgun, this gives them no right whatsoever to correct the driver on their navigation skills ("take a left here you dickhead!") or driving ability ("I'd be in third gear if I was driving") if the passenger does this then they forfeit their position as shotgun holder

18. If someone says "what's shotgun?" after it has been called then they have to walk

19. If you come up to the car and you already have shotgun. the driver gets in and reaches over to unlock the shotgun door. if shotgun opens it before its actually unlocked..(this happens when the driver is still trying to unlock it and person pulls on handle) they have to give up there rights as shotgun. Therefore…shotgun suicide!

20. The successful shotgunner, in the front of a vehicle, assumes the responsibility for all gate opening, off licence nipping into, takeaway ordering and question asking. He/she is, in essence the co-pilot and therefore the enforcer of behaviour in the vehicle and exacter of slaps/punches/water spraying/bag throwing at the passengers in the back.

21. Automatic "couple's rights act 1997". This is that, if the driver is the boyfriend/girlfriend of a passenger in the car, they have the right to the seat of their choice.

22. The Pirate Rule - If One of the potential occupants of the vehicle is dressed (convincingly) as a pirate then they are given automatic shotgun. In the occurrence of more than one pirate then a sword fight shall determine the successful shotgunner.

23. When driving past a woman walking a dog, everyone in the car must shout of the window "who's walking who", it is the shotgunners responsibility and failure to spot a potential heckling results in demoting to the bitch seat!

24. When riding in a 2/3 door car it is the role of the Shotgun Rider to allow rear passengers in and out of the back of the car NOT THE DRIVER'S!! Regardless of the weather conditions.

25. Obviously the previous rule on the subject didn't clarify things completely with everyone coming up with a new rule that over rules shot gun. NOTHING overrules shotgun. Shotgun is final therefore it cannot be overruled!!!!