Gun sales spike as grand jury decision on Ferguson nears

Ferguson: Suburban St. Louis gun dealers are reporting a surge in sales, especially among first-time buyers, as fearful residents await a grand jury’s decision on whether to indict the white police officer who fatally shot an unarmed black teenager. [caption id=“attachment_1660255” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of Ferguson police officers trying to calm a crowd. AP image[/caption] Steven King of Metro Shooting Supplies says he’s sold two to three times more weapons than usual in recent weeks as the jury prepares to conclude its three-month review of the case. Private lessons and concealed-carry training classes at the store near the St. Louis airport are full through the end of the year. Other dealers report comparable sales spikes, similar to the increases reported soon after the 9 August shooting of Michael Brown by Ferguson officer Darren Wilson. AP