I am a little late to this discussion but I thought I'd add what I hope is a helpful two cents.
I too was told that any "display" of my concealed weapon (unless in a self-defense situation) would be illegal. I think the phrase I was told is "display is a misdemeanor, brandishing is a felony."
However, something I was taught (and I hope to always follow on this forum) is "he who asserts must support," meaning that a citation to applicable law, or at least widely followed custom, should follow any statement. I have researched the Penal Code and I cannot find any separate provision governing "display" of a firearm apart from the "brandishing" statute that was quoted earlier:
"Every person who, except in self-defense, in the presence of any other person, draws or exhibits any firearm, whether loaded or unloaded, in a rude, angry, or threatening manner, or who in any manner, unlawfully uses a firearm in any fight or quarrel is punishable as follows:
(A) If the violation occurs in a public place and the firearm is a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person, by imprisonment in a county jail for not less than three months and not more than one year, by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment.
(B) In all cases other than that set forth in subparagraph (A), a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for not less than three months."
Cal. Penal Code sec. 417(a)(2) (underlining is mine).
So we can see two things from the statute. First, there doesn't seem to be any distinction between "display" and "brandishing." The law criminalizes non-self defense display of your handgun in a "rude, threatening or angry manner." No "rude, angry or threatening" manner? No violation. Second, the the determining factor between a misdemeanor and a felony is whether the violation takes place in a public place with a concealable weapon.
From a legal standpoint, then, accidental display of your firearm (without more) would not appear to result in criminal liability.
However, since CCW permits in this State are discretionary, an act that might not necessarily carry criminal liability can still result in the revocation and/or non-renewal of your permit. On the State-drafted application form, the following language appears: "While exercising the privileges granted to the licensee under the terms of this licence, the licensee shall not, while carrying a concealed weapon: [...] Unjustifiably display a concealed weapon." Therefore, unjustified "display" of your weapon could have the practical consequence of revocation or non-renewal of your CCW permit. What is unjustified is open to debate. I would certainly argue that a truly accidental display, with no other aggravating factors, would be involuntary and thus not "unjustified."
In addition, LEOs responding to a call resulting from even accidental display of a weapon may differ on how they approach the matter. LEOs are human beings too and can range from the very understanding to the Pharisaical just like everyone else. It would be interesting to hear from LEOs on this board as to how they would handle a true accidental display (a gust of wind blowing a jacket back, for example), if no other aggravating factors (such as alcohol) were involved.
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