On patrol, the situation necessitated that I have my weapon ready. However, the safety was usually ON and finger was OFF the trigger.
On patrol in a war zone, you are looking for people to kill.
Inside 1st Division perimeter, the weapons were holstered or slung, magazine out, chamber empty.
Airwinger in Post #29 makes an excellent distinction between “showing” a weapon and “brandishing” one. think of Barney Fife waving his pistol, or all these idiot criminals in movies and TV shows who incessantly wave a pistol.
Then in regard to your statement “Never, ever pull a gun, rifle or weapon unless the situation necessitates its use AND you are willing to handle the consequences of that use”, the situation that “necessitates its use” could be one, such as a patrol, that doesn't necessarily necessitate its use by ultimately firing it, only by having it ready to fire at ultimate need.
Sometimes one draws and even points a weapon only because it might be necessary to fire it. The police do that all the time. Of course the legality of doing that as a regular citizen can be unfortunate.