Gun Sales Surge in St. Louis Suburbs Ahead of Jury's Ferguson Decision

FERGUSON, Mo. — Some suburban St. Louis gun dealers have been doing brisk business, particularly among first-time buyers, as fearful residents await a grand jury's decision on whether to indictthe police officer who fatally shot Michael Brown. Metro Shooting Supplies reports selling two to three times more weapons than usual in recent weeks — an average of 30 to 50 guns each day — while the jury prepares to conclude its three-month review of the case that sparked looting and weeks of sometimes-violent protests in August.

"We're selling everything that's not nailed down," owner Steven King said. "Police aren't going to be able to protect every single individual. If you don't prepare yourself and get ready for the worst, you have no one to blame but yourself." The store's waiting list for private lessons and concealed-carry training classes extends into 2015. Protest leaders say they are preparing for non-violent demonstrations after the grand jury's decision is announced, but they also acknowledge the risk of more unrest if the panel decides not to issue criminal charges against Darren Wilson, the white officer who shot Brown, who was black and unarmed. Other gun dealers say their sales spikes are comparable to the increases seen soon after Brown's death on Aug. 9. The St. Louis County Police Department reports a sharp increase in the number of concealed-carry permits issued since Brown's death compared with a year ago.

JEFF ROBERSON / AP

Steven King, left, fills out paperwork before selling a handgun to first-time gun owner Dave Benne at Metro Shooting Supplies, in Bridgeton, Mo., on November 15.