What was it really like in the Old West? Could you really go around shooting peo

Question:I know you couldn't just walk up to people on the street randomly and kill them, but could people have duels and shootouts and stuff like they show in the movies with little to no repercussions?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I know you couldn't just walk up to people on the street randomly and kill them, but could people have duels and shootouts and stuff like they show in the movies with little to no repercussions?

Absolutely not. The "wildness" of the wild west is grossly exaggerated. If you were, say, a storekeeper in Dodge City the chances that you would walk out the door of your shop onto the main street and somebody would shoot you are about the same as that happening to you in a village in rural Connecticut today. If you were a schoolteacher in, say, some rough, tough western cattle town like Abilene, the chances of somebody stalking you home and attacking you were essentially zero, it would be as likely as a satellite crashing on your head today.

there was always repercussions. if not the law then relatives would come gunning for you.
need to remember that movies are for entertainment and most people are entertained by violence.

No, it didn't work that way. Most people were law abiding citizens and duels were uncommon.

Most small pioneer towns had little or no law enforcement . With no town Marshall and a county sheriff a days ride away or more it was indeed possible for you to just walk up and shoot some one . You would need to get out of town quick though because his Friends and family would come hunting you . Mob justice was usually a hanging tree so you wouldn't want to get caught .