In the American west, especially during the expansion years following the Civil War, stagecoach companies provided transportation for passengers and a limited amount of freight. To defend their passengers and cargo against highwaymen, the companies added another man carrying firearms next to the driver of the horses. Both sat high atop the front part of the coach. The weapon of choice was a shotgun or often called a "scattergun" since it was most effective at close range. The position he occupied came to be known as "riding shotgun"...