[mvpel]

I have no idea where you got that definition. Did you just make it up on the spot? Here's what Merriam-Webster says:

• Main Entry: ¹bran·dish
• Pronunciation: \ˈbran-dish\
• Function: transitive verb
• Etymology: Middle English braundisshen, from Anglo-French brandiss-, stem of brandir, from brant, braund sword, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English brand
• Date: 14th century

1 : to shake or wave (as a weapon) menacingly
2 : to exhibit in an ostentatious or aggressive manner

synonyms see swing

In case it isn't clear, the act of peaceably and lawfully carrying a sidearm in a holster is not, by any stretch of even the fevered leftist imagination of Chrissy Matthews, "brandishing."

[cerberus]

My point remains: What is your need to openly carry a weapon into a contentious situation other than to intimidate? If you are concerned for your safety, get a concealed carry permit and arm yourself. I have no problem with that. To do otherwise in this case is simply to play into the hands of the opposition and allow conservatives to be portrayed as dangerous nuts.

This is what happened to the black panthers and rightly so.

The majority of our adversaries on the far left understand this. Did you ever see Saul Alinsky, Noam Chomsky or Gus Hall going about openly armed? This is because they understand that they must, at least up to a point, appeal to the "masses" and to appear threatening will allow their opponents to marginalize them.

Exercise your right to own weapons, practice, train etc., but don't think you're helping the cause by going to a town hall meeting or whatever carrying a gun on your hip.