The Official Shotgun Rules
The term "Shotgun" refers to the front passenger seat of an automobile. "Calling Shotgun" is the act of claiming the position of Shotgun for one’s self. As this position is the most coveted of all positions when riding in a car.
As a owner of a car (especially at college), I have witnessed many arguments about the position of Shotgun. To my enjoyment I have discovered the “official” rules of shotgun and calling shotgun, complete with everything needed to handle any problems that can arise during the nomination for the position.
It is HIGHLY recommended that anyone who has people calling shotgun on a regular basis, print out the guide and keep it in the glovebox of their cars. (It is incredibly helpful for future reference. It also has the history of shotgun and some other amusing points about the rules involved.)
Some of the rules include:
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 just redundant. This is one scenario where a person does not actually have to say Shotgun to get the seat. This rule’s importance is that no one has to be around for you to stake your claim to Shotgun, whereas usually one other would-be occupant must be present for you to call it.
The Balk
This rule is applied when you have called Shotgun and are waiting for the doors to be unlocked. If you lift the handle while the doors are being unlocked and therefore cause the Shotgun door to remain locked, then you are "voided" for that ride. At this time Shotgun is available for all of the other passengers to call.
However there are some clearly recognized exceptions when shotgun politics are concerned, such include:
Significant Others
This is the most important exception. If a significant other (SO) is included in the group of automobile passengers and this person is the SO or potential SO of the driver, then they get automatic Shotgun privileges.
Owner-Driver Switch
If someone is driving an automobile other than its owner and the owner becomes a passenger, then the owner automatically gets Shotgun. When applied, this rule shows respect to the owner of the car.
The complete guide can be found here
Doc said,
November 14, 2005 at 9:06 am
Lucky I’m a significant other, otherwise I would never get Shotgun. I have a confession to make I’m the biggest “balker” ever. So I’d like to thank my beautiful girlfriend for having a car and driving me everywhere thus allowing me to ride shotgun.
Anonymous said,
November 14, 2005 at 4:48 pm
You’re a shotgun
dan said,
November 14, 2005 at 5:40 pm
wtf?
alchemist said,
November 14, 2005 at 10:35 pm
you shit me to tears foster , fuck off
love sam.
Doc said,
November 14, 2005 at 11:55 pm
But my girlfriend is soooooo beautiful and sexy where else would I want to sit anywhere else.
Anonymous said,
November 15, 2005 at 12:23 am
NOTE TO SELF:
Always log out of EVERYTHING after using girlfriend’s computer…. :/
“where else would I want to sit anywhere else.”
Apparently she’s studying to become an English teacher….
Doc said,
November 15, 2005 at 12:35 am
SECOND NOTE TO SELF:
Always login to OWN account before posting a comment. :P
Doc said,
November 15, 2005 at 1:53 am
haha ok “why would I want to sit anywhere else”…everyone knew what I meant. They also know that it doesn’t take me much to get drunk…right everyone
ghjkll said,
November 15, 2005 at 8:22 pm
t.l30yle@gmail.com
Ginny said,
November 27, 2005 at 12:04 pm
at BK we live by the rules that shotgun may indeed be voided, if the contender to the shotgun call licks the left front tyre