Not to fuel the fire too much but I have to agree with Husker here. As a VCDL member we are preached to by many in the firearms world from VCDL president to legal speakers at meetings to John Lott about the danger to your personal legal wellbeing for brandishing, threatening or heaven forbid, firing a warning shot.
Below is one example of case law from the VCDL website. And yes, coming outside with a gun in your hand to confront the guy breaking into your truck will likely be considered brandishing. Sure, you may beat it. You could probably buy 5 more trucks instead of the lawyer fees, but hey, it's only money.
VIRGINIA LAW ON DEADLY FORCE TO PROTECT PROPERTY
The threat to use deadly force by brandishing a deadly weapon
has long been considered an assault.
* * *
[T]he owner of land has no right to assault a mere trespasser
with a deadly weapon. (citation omitted). . . . [A] deadly
weapon may not be brandished solely in defense of personal
property.
Commonwealth v. Alexander, 260 Va. 238, 241, 242, 531 S.E.2d 567, ___
(2000).
BRANDISHING
Morris was charged with pointing, holding, or brandishing a
firearm in such a manner as to reasonably induce fear in the
mind of another, pursuant to Code § 18.2-282. . . .
Morris says that although Peter Molina saw the flare gun in
Morris's waistband, he never testified that he was in fear of
the gun. Morris asserts that Molina, solely out of concern for
his wife, insisted that they should leave the area where Morris
was sitting. Indeed, Morris states, Molina indicated in his
testimony that he “may have stayed where he was had his wife
not been there.”
Morris says further that he “never touched the gun in the
presence” of Molina or his wife and there is no evidence that
“he pointed the flare gun.” . . .
“Brandish” means “to exhibit or expose in an ostentatious,
shameless, or aggressive manner.” Webster's Third New
International Dictionary, 268 (1993). When Morris looked at
Ms. Molina, said “[he'd] like that,” and then pulled up his
shirt to uncover the flare gun, he exhibited or exposed the
weapon in a shameless or aggressive manner. And Morris
brandished the weapon in such a manner as to reasonably induce
fear in the mind of Peter Molina. Although Molina may not have
said he was in fear for his own safety, he stated unequivocally
that he feared for the safety of his wife, and that is
sufficient to prove the “induced fear” element of a conviction
for brandishing a firearm under Code § 18.2-282.
Morris v. Commonwealth, 269 Va. 127, 134-135, 607 S.E.2d 110, ___ (2005)