Which statement best defines brandishing a firearm in the criminal sense?

• A. Displaying a firearm in a threatening manner.
• B. Carrying a firearm openly in a holster.
• C. Storing a firearm in a safe.
• D. Owning a firearm.

Answer: (A)

Brandishing a firearm in the criminal sense means displaying a weapon in a way that threatens or intimidates others. The important part is the threatening display, not simply having or showing a gun. If a person openly carries a firearm in a holster but does not use or present it to frighten someone, it can be lawful in many places and isn’t necessarily brandishing. Storing a firearm in a safe shows responsible handling and does not involve displaying the weapon to intimidate. Merely owning a firearm also does not constitute brandishing, since there’s no display or threat involved.