Virginia Code
18.2-282.
“It shall be unlawful for any person to point, hold or brandish any firearm or any air or gas operated weapon or any object similar in appearance, whether capable of being fired or not, in such manner as to reasonably induce fear in the mind of another or hold a firearm or any air or gas operated weapon in a public place in such a manner as to reasonably induce fear in the mind of another of being shot or injured. However, this section shall not apply to any person engaged in excusable or justifiable self-defense.”
As with much in self defense law, it mostly depends on what is determined to be “reasonable”. It will likely come down to a jury determining what they consider to be reasonable.
I should use a knife or sword.