What did a cowboy do with his rifle when it was illegal to carry them into towns?

In many Western towns, it was illegal to carry a handgun. But when a cowboy rode in, what did he do with his rifle?

Paul Etzler

Cedar City, Utah

Generally, a cowboy was allowed to keep his long gun inside town limits. Many carried their rifles or shotguns with them. Others left them in their hotel or boarding room. A careless few left them in their saddle scabbard, where some enterprising fellow just might lift it.