Gun stores see sales spike in wake of Ferguson riots

The riots in Ferguson are some of the largest the Show-Me State has seen in recent years. Following the death of teenager Michael Brown at the hands of a local police officer, the streets of the St. Louis suburb have seen protesting and violence for nearly a week. The unrest has lead to numerous arrests, including two journalists and a city alderman.

In the wake of such violent tension, area residents are arming themselves.

Enter Steve King's St. Louis gun store, Metro Shooting.

The St. Louis Business Journal reports sales at the store spiked 50 percent during the first two days of violence.

“We’ve sold a variety of handguns, shotguns and AR-15s (a semi-automatic rifle),” King told the St. Louis Business Journal. “All of the sales are having to do with home defense.”

Other gun store owners across the city have reported similar numbers, a 50 percent or more increase since the violence began.

Read more from the St. Louis Business Journal.