Man arrested for Brandishing

[blaster668]

"A Titusville man was charged with terroristic threats and simple assault after he allegedly brandished a handgun during an argument around 7:30 p.m. on Titusville Road in Venango County. State police said Allen Nichols, 52, was involved in a domestic dispute with a woman when he brandished the weapon. He was arrested, arraigned before District Judge Andrew Fish and transported to Venango County jail, police said."


Since when is brandishing illegal in PA?

[Pa. Patriot]

Since when is brandishing illegal in PA?

There is no "brandishing law" in Pa.

However

If one intentionally uses a firearm to threaten someone they will likely face the same charges this fellow is. Terroristic threats and/or assault.

So, while there is no "brandishing" law, brandishing is in fact illegal, as it falls afoul of existing law.

[knight0334]

I agree with the big gorilla.

Many people confuse brandishing with carrying openly or in ones hand(s). When it really means to wield it in a threatening, intimidating or menacing manner - which is covered under existing terroristic threat and in some cases assault laws.

[PocketProtector]

Mr. Nichols is an idiot and should not have a LTCF

[LM4300]

We can probably chalk this up to a misinformed reporter using the wrong terms, instead of digging a little deeper for the story.

[Jon1911]

after he allegedly brandished a handgun during an argument

That seems like a claim you could defeat. Who is going to prove he did it?

[Steve in PA]

That seems like a claim you could defeat. Who is going to prove he did it?

The woman. I'm sure she had to give a written statement as to what happened. It will then be up to the judge (and or jury if it goes that far) to determine who to believe.

[Tequila Sunrise]

Mr. Nichols is an idiot and should not have a LTCF

and if the woman proves that he threaten her with the gun, he won't have it for long. I just hope this isn't an instance that they were just arguing and she saw the gun and decided to run with that. I don't think if a person sees your gun and feels threatened, that constitutes a threat. Guess he'll have his day in court.

[LowFlyer]

Mr. Nichols is an idiot and should not have a LTCF

I don't see where it says that he does have a LTCF.

[ar15jules]

Please don't base your opinion on what actually happened because of what was printed in a paper. The media is garbage.
Jules