My question involves criminal law for the state of: Michigan, but I'd also like input about other states.
I legally carry a weapon, sometimes open sometimes concealed. I am not a police officer. However, I have noticed it is common for people to assume I am one or ask me if I am one if they become aware of me carrying. The problem is that informing them that I am not often leads to them trying to start some sort of political argument that I'd really rather avoid. I can ignore their argument and leave...but I'd rather not start it in the first place, especially since one day I'm sure me ignoring them will lead to a severely uninformed person assuming I am illegally carrying and calling the police...which is just a bad situation all around.
My first question is: when someone assumes I am a police officer, and I become aware of their assumption, am I legally obligated to correct it? I'd rather just ignore them and not start controversy. Of course I'll do nothing to reinforce that belief...just leave it alone.
My second question is: if someone asks me if I'm a police officer, am I obligated to say "no"? OF COURSE I'm obligated to NOT say "yes". But I'd much rather just ignore them or say I'd rather not answer or some other comment that will just allow the subject to not be broached at all, rather than outright telling them no.

