Ferguson Gun Sales Spike Ahead of Grand Jury Decision

As the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, Missouri awaits a grand jury's decision on officer Darren Wilson, local businesses have indicated gun sales in the region have spiked recently. 

Local gun stores told The Guardian that recently, concerned families have been purchasing pistols and shotguns ahead of the expected grand jury decision that will determine whether Officer Darren Brown should be criminally charged for the fatal shooting of unarmed teen Michael Brown back in August.

One gun store owner, Tim Wheeler, told The Guardian that he's seen customers come in to his Trail Creek Trade Co expressing "paranoia beyond belief" about possible upcoming riots. Police have expressed concern that if Wilson is acquitted of any criminal charges, angered residents will take to the streets to violently protest. When Brown was shot in August, there were numerous, weeks-long protests, some of which turned violent and involved looting.

 "I have normal-seeming people coming in saying 'Oh my god, they're going to march down the streets looting and burning,'" Wheeler told the media outlet.

Wheeler added that he was disappointed people were purchasing his guns for self-protection, telling The Guardian: "We don't sell guns on fear factor."

"We enjoy firearms for what they were built for: target shooting and hunting."

Earlier this month, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon took several safety measures ahead of the announcement, including declaring a state of emergency so the state could receive more backup support. Nixon also allowed the National Guard to step in if protests become to rowdy, and put the larger St. Louis Police Department in charge of maintaining protests, instead of the smaller and embattled Ferguson department.

Earlier this month, Charlie Dooley, the St. Louis County executive, urged Ferguson residents to remain calm ahead of the jury's announcement.

"The tensions and the emotions are running high, but we will get through this," Dooley said at a press conference. "We have some of the most challenging days ahead of us. The main reason we are here is to tell everybody take a deep breath, stand back, and calm down".