The Official Shotgun Rules – Call Shotgun or Sit in back

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Rules of ShotgunCasey Barnett2021-10-13T06:36:45-06:00

The Official Rules for Calling Shotgun

The following are the official rules for calling shotgun, riding in the front seat of a vehicle, that has been created over many years. The ritual of calling Shotgun is designed with the ideals of fairness in mind, allowing all potential occupants of a vehicle to call dibs on the front seat, fairly. With our community’s help, these rules are the most complete and comprehensive Shotgun rules available today.

Sitting Shotgun does come with responsibilities and should not be taken lightly.

Most rules and responsibilities have intricate details that will help you better serve in your role as shotgunner. Be sure to read each rule thoroughly on each rule’s individual page.

Can’t find a rule? Maybe it is Utterly BS and your friends are liars. Maybe you need one of our shotgun sheriffs to help moderate your call. We are here to help! Enjoy your ride in the front seat and never get stuck riding bitch again.

1. Standard Rules

1.1 You Must Say The Word "Shotgun"

You must say the word "Shotgun" to stake your claim on Shotgun. This must be done clearly and loud enough so that at least one other to-be occupant of the vehicle can hear you. MORE…

1.2 The Deed Must Be Done Before Shotgun May Be Called

For these rules to work properly, it is essential that you understand and accept the concept of the "Deed." Shotgun may only be called after the "Deed is Done." MORE…

1.3 You Must Be Outside to Call Shotgun

If the Deed takes place indoors, the Deed is considered done after you have left the building in which the Deed took place. MORE…

1.4 The Shotgun Gaper

Gapers (gey-pers) are people who prioritize Shotgun much more than a normal human being. These people will alter their usual behavior and even undermine their own ethics in order to gain the rights to Shotgun. They do this through legal means, however – such as sprinting for an exit – and therefore they cannot be Voided. MORE…

1.5 Voiding

Whenever you break a Shotgun rule as stated in this guide, you may be "voided" from receiving Shotgun privileges for that ride. Although somewhat discretionary, voiding automatically applies if you call Shotgun while indoors, if you do not have your shoes on, or if you display any other blatant disregard for Shotgun protocol. MORE…

1.6 Duration

Shotgun may be called for one ride, one final destination where a deed is to be done. When your final destination is reached, Shotgun no longer belongs to the original caller and may be claimed again. MORE…

2. Ancillary Rules

2.1 Footwear

Your footwear for the ride in Shotgun must be on your feet, before you can call Shotgun. Since you must be outside to call Shotgun, some people will simply grab their shoes/sandals, jump outside the building, and call Shotgun before putting their shoes on. This has been deemed Gaping, and is not a legal procedure. You must have your shoes on (if you choose to wear any) before you may call Shotgun. MORE…

2.2 Re-entry

If you call Shotgun verbally and then go back inside, or back to where the deed took play for some reason, you must re-call Shotgun after leaving the building. MORE…

2.3 When The Deed Is Outdoors

If the Deed takes place outdoors, which it often does, the completion of the Deed must be agreed upon when Shotgun is called. MORE…

2.4 Line-Of-Sight

In the situation of the Deed being a hike or other outdoor activity, you may not call Shotgun until the automobile is within your sight. MORE…

2.5 Hand On Door

Shotgun can no longer be called once someone’s hand is holding the shotgun door handle. This officially stakes their claim to Shotgun and calling it at this time is simply redundant. MORE…

2.6 Sit Down

If you manage to sit in Shotgun before anyone has called it, you keep the position even if someone else calls Shotgun after you are seated. MORE…

2.7 The Balk

If you lift the vehicle handle while the doors are being unlocked and therefore cause the Shotgun door to remain locked, then you are Voided for that ride. MORE…

2.8 Garages

If you enter a garage that is connected to a house or building without having to go outside, then you may call Shotgun as soon as you enter the garage, if the vehicle is in the garage. MORE…

2.9 Alternate Seats

Once the Shotgun seat has been called by someone, the other less prestigious seats in the car may be claimed using the same rules as calling Shotgun. Example: you can say "back-right" or "window". MORE…

2.10 Convoys

In the situation where a group of people are traveling in multiple cars, you must specify which car you are calling Shotgun for. MORE…

2.11 Shotgun Abandonment

If the Shotgun rider exits the vehicle then Shotgun becomes available to the remaining passengers as soon as the existing Shotgun rider has opened the door to exit. Once Shotgun is available, you must call Shotgun before the other occupants....