Police chief OK with gun rights event

Talk about it

Hudson Police Chief Marty Jensen says he’s met with the Glenwood City gun rights activist planning a gathering in Hudson and isn’t worried about the event.

“I’ve checked with some other chiefs around the state that have had these types of events and they said there haven’t been any issues with them whatsoever, so I don’t have any concerns,” Jensen said in a recent phone call.

He reported having met with Dave E. “Ole” Olson and another man who are organizing an event in which the guests come with holstered handguns strapped to their sides.

Olson sponsored an “Open Carry Picnic” that was held Aug. 23 at the St. Croix County Fairgrounds in Glenwood City. It attracted an estimated 350 people and media attention – and came off without incident.

In the publicity leading up to that event, Olson said he was planning another one for Hudson that would feature a nationally known speaker.

An attempt to contact Olson prior to this report was unsuccessful. The Star-Observer initially reported that Olson didn't return a phone call to his house. The newspaper has since learned that the call was placed to the home of another David Olson who resides in Glenwood City.

Olson told the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram in August that the purpose of the open carry events is education. He wants people to inform people about their Second Amendment rights “to keep and bear arms.”

Tags: local news, gun rights, lakefront park, news