In what can only be described as a disturbing trend, gun sales in the St. Louis area have rocketed in anticipation of the grand jury’s decision as to whether Darren Wilson will face criminal charges in the killing of Mike Brown.
On Nov. 17, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon declared a state of emergency, summoning the National Guard to the Ferguson area, in a move that many critics say only adds onto the intense atmosphere. As a result, one area gun store reports having a 75 percent increase in first-time gun buyers. Many say they are simply preparing themselves for the worst.
“There [have] been a lot of things going on in the St. Louis area. And it’s something that I’ve always wanted to do. And this has kind of encouraged me to move it up the bucket list,” says first-time gun owner Debra Pohlmann.
The state of Missouri does not require persons buying firearms to take training courses by law so one Metro Shooting Supplies is stepping in to encourage buyers to learn how to handle their weapon.
“The last thing I want is for someone to buy a firearm, then it sit on their shelf for the rest of their life and they never shoot it. And then if they ever had to grab it, they don’t know how to shoot it,” says Metro Shooting Supplies owner Steven King. “New gun buyers are generally like sponges. They want to absorb as much as they can get.”
According to King, he is doing tons of trainings these days.
“We’re selling everything that’s not nailed down.” he says, “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.”
Though she has armed herself, Pohlmann says she hoping for there to be no violence and no reason to use her new purchase.
“I’m just being optimistic that hopefully there won’t be any violence. But if there is, I deserve to protect myself and have peace of mind,” she said.
