MinnesotaNorthStar
Minding the gap
Re: Covfefe-19: We Can Handle Slight Inconveniences. Part 8.
My non-lawyer thinking would be if it is just on their back, I wouldn't consider it brandishing. But, for the ones carrying it on their chest with a hand on the grip, it absolutely is. The "display in a threatening manner" is likely there to cover someone who is appendix carrying and lifts their shirt to show someone they have a firearm during some sort of argument.
One reason I think open carry should be banned. Less room for interpretation...
The terms in your definition are the correct ones. Display being the key one. Some of those lawmakers need to testify they were afraid for their lives and safety due to the action of some of the protesters displaying weapons. I have no doubt they would be telling the truth. We know police officers have forever gotten away with shooting unarmed people by testifying they were in fear for their safety. In fact, that claim is even true sometimes and someone like me (who rarely thinks cops act well) believes they acted appropriately in discharging their firearm. These people were not displaying the semi automatic rifles because they just happened to have them on hand. Many things in the law are perception, and this is one of those things. I think it is worth pursuing. I'm willing to bet most probably don't agree with me, even some who have even more progressive views about gun control than I currently have.
My non-lawyer thinking would be if it is just on their back, I wouldn't consider it brandishing. But, for the ones carrying it on their chest with a hand on the grip, it absolutely is. The "display in a threatening manner" is likely there to cover someone who is appendix carrying and lifts their shirt to show someone they have a firearm during some sort of argument.
One reason I think open carry should be banned. Less room for interpretation...