These are rolling out all over America. What a great idea!
In a surprising twist, adults in some U.S. states can now purchase gun ammunition from AI-powered vending machines nestled in local grocery stores. The brainchild of American Rounds LLC, these machines are touted as a safer alternative to online or off-the-shelf ammo sales. Yet, experts are sounding alarms, wary of amplifying access in a nation already grappling with rampant gun violence.
Ammo vending machines because 🇺🇸
That’s why pic.twitter.com/dVqulFke06
— E (@ElijahSchaffer) July 11, 2024
American Rounds LLC has planted its “automated ammo retail machines” in eight supermarkets across Alabama, Oklahoma, and Texas, despite one being yanked from an Alabama store recently. Expansion is on the horizon, with a new machine slated for Colorado and more in the pipeline. CEO Grant Magers reveals that requests have flooded in from Hawaii to Florida, with about 200 stores awaiting these high-tech dispensers.
The Dallas-based company, with a modest workforce of around 10, shot to national fame this month. However, they’ve been quietly rolling out these vending machines since November 2023, debuting at a Fresh Value store in Pell City, Alabama. Magers was approached by business partners intrigued by the idea of vending ammo in grocery stores, sparking an exploration into this novel market.
Typically, ammunition is sold off the shelf, accessible like cereal boxes. Federal law bars dealers from selling handgun ammo to individuals under 21 and long gun ammo to those under 18. While federal laws also restrict access based on criminal history, background checks aren’t mandated for ammo purchases, except in a few states. Magers argues that traditional sales methods make theft easy and facilitate illegal purchases by minors. The vending machines, he claims, offer a more secure alternative.
GROCERY STORE IN ALABAMA BECOMES FIRST IN US TO INSTALL AMMO VENDING MACHINES, says owner of bullet company American Rounds. Buyers must have ID & will undergo 360 degree facial recognition by machine. 🎥via https://t.co/DiAFalAZON pic.twitter.com/hxV4zsjOB8
— LISA EVERS (@LisaEvers) July 10, 2024
Not everyone is thrilled. These aren’t your average vending machines; they’re 2,000-pound, triple-locked steel fortresses, monitored by cameras and restocked by trusted staff. Customers must scan their ID and undergo facial recognition to verify their age, ensuring the machines are as secure as possible. Magers insists the company doesn’t store or sell any personal data.
Strategically placed in rural areas, these machines cater to hunters who would otherwise trek long distances for ammo. Magers reports a boost in foot traffic at stores housing the machines and overwhelmingly positive feedback. The company is striving to meet demand, planning to roll out 20 machines monthly and exploring additional offerings like hunting licenses and NRA memberships.
Yet, skepticism abounds. Experts in gun violence prevention and cybersecurity question the move. Critics argue that preventing minors from buying ammo is best achieved through stricter online sales regulation, not vending machines in grocery stores. Concerns include potential sales to those legally barred from owning guns and the machines’ inability to gauge if buyers intend to harm themselves or others.
Ammo vending machines debut in grocery stores across three states including Texas pic.twitter.com/Z73viAwurQ
— Dallas Texas TV (@DallasTexasTV) July 11, 2024
George Tita, a criminology professor, and Chethan Sathya, a gun violence prevention expert, highlight the risks. They argue that vending machines should incorporate background checks and emphasize the need for stringent ammunition regulation. Andrew Whaley, a cybersecurity expert, warns that no technology is hack-proof, making these machines potential targets for cybercriminals.
Increasing ammo availability could spike firearm-related injuries and deaths, warns Sathya. Studies link greater access to higher rates of gun violence, suicides, and accidental injuries. The U.S. Surgeon General recently declared gun violence a public health crisis, underscoring the severity of the issue.
In essence, while AI-powered ammo vending machines offer a futuristic, secure sales method, they also open a Pandora’s box of potential risks and challenges, demanding careful regulation and scrutiny.
Major Points
- AI-powered vending machines for ammunition are now available in grocery stores across several U.S. states, including Alabama, Oklahoma, and Texas, with plans to expand further.
- The machines require ID scans and facial recognition to verify age and are designed as secure, monitored units restocked by vetted staff.
- Experts worry about the increased accessibility of ammunition, potentially exacerbating gun violence issues in the U.S.
- Despite concerns, rural hunters and grocery stores report increased foot traffic and positive reception.
- Critics highlight the need for more stringent regulations, such as incorporating background checks to prevent sales to ineligible individuals.
Fallon Jacobson – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
