"I'd rather have a mugger discover that I'm armed while they're still halfway across the road, turning their beeline towards me into a boomerang (yes, it happened to me), than after they've rushed me and punched me in the head before I have a chance to draw."
Hail and well met, Micheal. As always, you make good points.
The methods you describe might work well against one or two adversaries at a standoff distance. On the other hand, I have lived in places (LA, San Francisco), where if you appeared armed you were simply the first target. As for warning them off, I depend on a high degree of situational awareness to detect threats rather than rely on a display of force to act as a shield. This approach has proven viable for me on several occasions.
I have also learned that, if an opponent is PO'd enough, a weapon in one's possession may or may not be a reliable deterrent.
Lastly, at these town hall brawls meetings, you are going to be packed in, so concealment would not only prevent warning your adversary, but it would also protect against someone attempting to snatch your gun away.
These are only my opinions and own experience; as you know, individual mileage can and will vary, and tactics change depending on the situation and how it unfolds.
Stay well,
