Why did Americans stop carrying around guns like in the Wild West?

Question: Why did Americans stop carrying around guns like in the Wild West!?

Was there a new law passed or was it a change in culture!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Lots of things have changed, but keep in mind that people weren't armed all the time then, and they aren't always unarmed now, except in larger cities where laws prohibit it!.
also, people were used to the idea of personal and community responsibility!. The NYPD, the country's first, was founded in 1845, not long before the cowboy era!. People had enough sense to understand the eight men of the NYPD couldn't act as personal bodyguards for the entire population, and that wasn't their job, at any rate!. They were also still close enough to the Revolutionary period to realize that it should be the people, not government officials, who should be armed!.
Cowboys, in particular, had several practical reasons to carry a handgun on the job, and a few still do, though "hostile Indians" has fallen from the list!.
New York's Sullivan law also has changed the scenario, not only in that state but elsewhere!. It was designed to keep guns out of the hands of uppity minorities, who were prone to criminal activity and couldn't be trusted like normal folks!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I laughed my *** off when I saw "It was because of liberals" because you think of the grand old days of the Wild West and the mysticism behind it!.

Then you bring in a sad answer: "Because of liberals!."

Honest answer: Americans haven't stopped carrying guns!. It depends on the state!. My state, Virginia, says that if one carries a gun, it must not be concealed and you must have a license!. also, you can buy a gun earlier than you can drink alcohol!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

More people started moving out west, businesses were started, roads were paved, factories and oil derricks were built, and as a result they needed a full, modern police force!. The west became civilized!.

But have American really stopped carrying guns around!? Millions of rednecks would disagree!. Damn, we really need to have another Civil War because those Southerners are really getting out of hand!. ******* Nascar!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Real answer: Because there is less need!.

Food is acquired via purchase from the store, less hunting for meat in the wild!.

Protection: society is more civilized now, believe it or not!

Finally: concealed guns are illegal in most states without a license!. Although most will allow you to have them on you while transporting, target shooting, hunting etc!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Well when they did carry guns law enforcement was not that widespread b/c the population was sparse!. There was like one sheriff per town, and you wouldn't see another town for miles!. When the west became more populated, then they got a bigger force which was able to take care of the gun slingers!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I'm 26, and have never seen anyone carrying a gun on them except for the stupid gang members!. I know lots of people who own guns, but they stay at the house unless they are taken out to go hunting, to target practice, and so on!.
Only a few states have relaxed enough laws that allow people to carry guns on them whenever they want, and in those states, people must have them in plain view like in a holster!. Typically in those states, the crime rates are much lower also!. Why!? because no one wants to mess with someone carrying a loaded gun in plain sight!.
It has been like that for many many many years, unless you've visited a state like Arizona, Texas, etc!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I'm a huge fan of Westerns!. Huge!. Gunsmoke, Have Gun Will Travel, Bonanza, all of them!.

That being said what was portrayed in them was largely fantasy, like Star Trek!.

My point being that not as many people walked around with guns as you might think!.

And this is also true; they didn't have gun fights at high noon like portrayed in movies!. The people who shot others did it the way people do it now; when the other guy doesn't know its coming!. There are maybe two or three documented cases of it happening like it does in films and TV and I believe two of those were with Wild Bill Hickock!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Who said we stoped!? I carry an ankle holster with my P22 in it!. I think the number of people packing has gone down, but you have to think also!. Would you carry a gun on your belt to walmart!? Naw, most people get conceled carry permits!. So you wont really know who is packing!. 1 vote for change in culture but for more descrete gun carrying!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

The constitution gives us the right to bear arms!. So each state began to interpret exactly what that was going to mean within its borders!. And that always means that the opinion with the most money and power wins!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

That's an awesome question! Culture definately changed!. First horses were replaced by automobiles!. Then quick draw contests were replaced with drive by shootings!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I just think that new laws were passed, and our lifestyle just changed, more technology and stuff!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It stopped being the Wild West when we got a full-time patrolling police force!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Was there a new law passed or was it a change in culture!?

I think it was both !Www@QuestionHome@Com

Because of liberals!.!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I agree withe liberal thing!. But do u wanna get shot walking home from work!? Vote Democrat!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

because of liberals!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

gangsters still carry gunsWww@QuestionHome@Com

cuz there not as cool as real cowboys:DWww@QuestionHome@Com

they didn't that's the bloody problem mate!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

You mean they have stopped !?Www@QuestionHome@Com

i never knew we did! this is still the good ol USA and if i wanna carry around a grenade launcher that is my right!

AND IM PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN WHERE AT LEAST I KNOW I M FREE!!!!Www@QuestionHome@Com

You haven't been to Texas lately have you!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

because there are police! they don't need to protect themselves in that way!Www@QuestionHome@Com

Its against the law to carry firearmsWww@QuestionHome@Com

because its against the law!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Www@QuestionHome@Com

cuz its illigalWww@QuestionHome@Com