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Before we give you the modern version of this fairytale, and examine where gunslinger consciousness is today, let's take brief step back in time.    The western gunslinger didn't just appear out of nowhere.   He was the evolution of a prior and long history of violence.    

Back when the dominant social structures began to be transformed from matriarch (feminine controlled)  to patriarch, (masculine controlled) violence took over and replaced cooperation.    On a social level, that eventually became what we call war.   Rape, pillage and plunder, along with mass murder of those on the other side became the watchwords of the masculine dominated societies.   Violence was considered an acceptable method of solving problems and he who was best at violence was the self-declared good guy.    Over time, governments declared themselves to have the exclusive right to use violence to solve problems.    As for the people themselves, in social settings, violence went underground.   Violence was still OK as long as you didn't get caught.   In the lawless areas such as the American west of the 1800's, the gunslinger mentality and its violence became all to common.

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When violence became the exclusive right of governments, those who hired gunslingers had to adapted to the change, which they did with eloquent mastery.   In order to survive, in the new era  of government controls and better crime detection, the tradition trilogy of means, motive, and opportunity need a new partner, the ability to commit the crime and not get caught.   

This fourth factor becomes apparent when examining three well-know personalities  of  the 1920's and the 1930's,  Al Capone ( the infamous Chicago gangster) , Clyde Barrow (of the Bonnie and Clyde Fame)  and Joseph Kennedy (father of John, Robert and Ted Kennedy).    Both Capone and Barrow were openly known for their criminal behavior.   Both paid the ultimate price for their openness.   Barrow died in a hail of gunfire and Capone died in prison after being convicted of tax evasion.   

In sharp contrast, Joseph Kennedy added the fourth factor:   You can engage in activates that are criminal, just stay way behind the scenes so you can never be tied to an actual criminal act.    Joseph Kennedy had strong mob connections for his entire life.   He was believed to be a major behind the scenes controller of rum running during prohibition, but this connections were never proven.   He was either innocent or very clever.    Most historian believe he was a clever rum runner.   

Joseph Kennedy's basic character becomes clear when one examines his activities on Wall Street,  particularly when one examines has stock market manipulations.   He made most of his fortune by engaging in highly unethical activities that today are illegal.   The activities were insider trading and stock-price manipulation.   Essentially, he stole his fortune from other investors in the stock market.   He did so in a manner that was, at that time, perfectly legal.