The owner of Metro Shooting Supplies told CNN that gun sales are soaring. This past weekend the store sold 100 guns, a normal weekend sees about 30 buyers purchasing guns.

"People are afraid they are gonna throw Molotov cocktails," says King, referring to the mostly nonviolent protests that have taken place in Ferguson since the shooting.

And it's not a racial thing. 

The increase in gun sales reaches across racial and ethnic lines, he says.

"A lot of black people coming in saying they are afraid of the hooliganism," he says.

"But not all of Ferguson is hooliganish. The media portrays us that way. If the world can just see this is one little street in Ferguson going crazy, they'd understand that we're not just one big burning city."

Another firearms dealer, Metro Shooting Range, the manager John Stephenson said gun sales are up 40-50% as of last week. It's not only for firearm purchases but also for training.

"Every time that door opens, we're seeing new faces," Stephenson says. Many new customers tell him they're concerned about the response to the grand jury decision.

The bulk of the weapons sold to new buyers are home defense shotguns. "We've sold tons," he says.

Ferguson Mayor James Knowles said many residents have told him they are buying firearms for protection. "It is a little frightening to think that somebody who is less trained may not have that restraint."