Source: https://www.tmwilsonlaw.com/criminal-law/firearms/brandishing
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 16:19:33+00:00

Document:
Virginia code § 18.2-282 prohibits any person from pointing, holding or brandishing any firearm or any air or gas operated weapon or any object similar in appearance.1 This offense is generally known as brandishing a firearm.
A violation of this code section is a class 1 misdemeanor, which carries a maximum punishment of up to 1 year in jail and a $2500 fine.
The term "Firearm" in the context of this statute means "any weapon that will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel single or multiple projectiles by the action of an explosion of a combustible material."
There are numerous defenses to § 18.2-282 Brandishing a Weapon that may be presented in cases for persons charged with this crime.
Virginia's brandishing code section specifically states that "this section shall not apply to any person engaged in excusable or justifiable self-defense." Therefore, if you were defending yourself or a third party in a lawful manner, Virginia's self defense laws will provide a defense to your actions.
1 § 18.2-282. Pointing, holding, or brandishing firearm, air or gas operated weapon or object similar in appearance; penalty.
3 See Id. at C.
"In other words, `[w]hen the pertinent test is cast in terms of a victim being put in "fear" of injury, it is not necessary that the victim be frightened; it is necessary merely that he be reasonably apprehensive of injury.'" Id. (Quoting Seaton, 42 Va.App. at 749, 595 S.E.2d at 14).
10See Fortune v. Commonwealth, 133 Va. 669, 112 S.E. 861 (Va., 1922) (stating "The general rule is that, while a man may use all reasonable and necessary force to defend his real and personal estate, of which he is in the actual possession, against another who comes to dispossess him without right, he cannot innocently carry this defense to the extent of killing the aggressor.
11Com. v. Alexander, 531 S.E.2d 567, 260 Va. 238 (Va., 2000) "For these reasons, we agree with the trial court that a deadly weapon may not be brandished solely in defense of personal property."
14Hill v. Com, 553 S.E.2d 529 (2001).
16 See Id at 202. "Accordingly, we hold that the law pertaining to defense of others is that one may avail himself or herself of the defense only where he or she reasonably believes, based on the attendant circumstances, that the person defended is without fault in provoking the fray."

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