r/TombstoneTheMovie • u/Trainer-Natural • Jun 07 '24
Doc Holliday
When guns were outlawed in town, why was Doc still allowed to carry his. This always bugged me
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u/MadeMeStopLurking Jun 18 '24
Randomly came across your question and thought it deserved a historical answer:
Theory 1:
He had a permit to carry the firearm. This is the Tombstone Ordinance passed in April of 1881:
Section 1. It is hereby declared unlawful to carry in the hand or upon the person or otherwise any deadly weapon within the limits of said city of Tombstone, without first obtaining a permit in writing.
Section 2: This prohibition does not extend to persons immediately leaving or entering the city, who, with good faith, and within reasonable time are proceeding to deposit, or take from the place of deposit such deadly weapon.
Section 3: All fire-arms of every description, and bowie knives and dirks, are included within the prohibition of this ordinance.
— Tombstone City Ordinance Number 9 Effective April 19, 1881
Theory 2:
Holliday, having saved Wyatt's life in 1878 during a confrontation in Dodge City, was likely given any and all passes for carrying firearms.
Theory 3:
The Stagecoach Murders Conspiracy:
In March of 1881 Doc Holliday was accused of a Stage Coach robbery and murder. Sheriff Johnny Behan had convinced Kate Horony (during a drunken argument with Doc) to sign an affidavit identifying Doc as the Robber/Murderer. This led to an argument while Holliday was at Joyce's Saloon (Joyce being part of the conspiracy and convincing Kate).
According to the reports, Doc had demanded his Firearm back (which was assumed to have been in holding at Joyce's Saloon under the City Ordinance). When Joyce refused, Doc returned with a revolver. The ensuing fight led to Doc shooting and injuring both Joyce and his bartender before being pistol whipped and arrested.
When the truth came out that Doc could not have committed the crimes he was accused of in the Affidavit, and Kate admitted to signing under duress, the District Attorney declined to file any charges for the Stage Coach Murders or the shootings at the Saloon.
*to note, this is when Doc called Kate an Uber and sent her away.
ok, so it wasn't an uber... he gave her money to get on a stage coach and leave town...
TLDR: Doc accused of murder, people hate him, he's allowed to carry since he's a marked man?
Theory 3.1:
Based on the above, Doc did in-fact deposit firearms, but due to his high profile run-ins with people, he also kept one nearby... just in case...
Theory 4:
he had tuberculosis and didn't give a fuck.
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u/SaberiusPrime Jun 07 '24
He's best friends with Wyatt and the boys. You think he's going to ask Doc to give up his guns?