Well, that kind of thinking is clearly implied in the song, but I just wonder how accurate it is. Is that really what is likely to have happened, or is that the same kind of mythology that has all cowboys as square-jawed Anglo-Celts who wore their six-guns in town (usually not allowed, to my uderstanding; cf. the 'shoot-out at the OK Corral')?

So, I'm skeptical, but you seem to know more about it than I do, so I'd be interested if you have the time and inclination to elaborate. For instance, any (in)famous cases?