imported post
Here is the AG opinion on brandishing:
BRANDISHING Opinion No. 7101 February 6, 2002: …In the absence of any reported Michigan appellate court decisions defining "brandishing," it is appropriate to rely upon dictionary definitions…..the term brandishing is defined as: "1. To wave or flourish menacingly, as a weapon. 2. To display ostentatiously. A menacing or defiant wave or flourish." This definition comports with the meaning ascribed to this term by courts of other jurisdictions…the court recognized that in federal sentencing guidelines, "brandishing" a weapon is defined to mean "that the weapon was pointed or waved about, or displayed in a threatening manner." Applying these definitions to your question, it is clear that a reserve police officer, regardless whether he or she qualifies as a "peace officer," when carrying a handgun in a holster in plain view, is not waving or displaying the firearm in a threatening manner. Thus, such conduct does not constitute brandishing a firearm in violation of section 234e of the Michigan Penal Code. It is my opinion, therefore, that…by carrying a handgun in a holster that is in plain view, does not violate section 234e of the Michigan Penal Code, which prohibits brandishing a firearm in public.
The Wash/Rinse/Repeat thread, and the Michigan Open Carry Info threads are loaded with most everything you need to know. Learn it all inside and out before you carry without a CPL.
Remember, ANY place which sells alcohol is OFF LIMITS without a CPL. This includes many Walmart, and Meijer stores, convenience stores, many gas stations. It even goes so far as to say the place only has to be licensed to sell alcohol. That means that if it's licensed, even if they don't sell it (how often does that happen?), you can't carry there without a CPL.
Lots to learn, lots of pitfalls. Be very diligent, and very, very careful.
