In select Southern states, shoppers now have the option to purchase ammunition from high-tech vending machines located in grocery stores. These machines offer a variety of ammo, including 12-gauge shotgun shells and 9mm rounds. The company behind this innovation, American Rounds, has introduced these dispensers in grocery stores across Alabama, Oklahoma, and Texas, with plans for future expansion into Colorado. This new approach has sparked both excitement and concern among various communities and experts.
How the Vending Machines Work
The vending machines are equipped with advanced technology to ensure that only eligible buyers can purchase ammunition. Customers must be at least 21 years old, and the machines verify this through both ID scanning and facial recognition to ensure the person purchasing the ammo matches the ID. These machines do not accept cash payments; instead, they only process credit card transactions. According to Grant Magers, CEO of American Rounds, this system makes their vending machines more secure than traditional ammo purchases at gun stores or online vendors, where verification is often less rigorous.
These dispensers weigh around 2,000 pounds and are secured with layers of locked steel, making them difficult to tamper with or steal from. Magers argues that these added layers of security make the vending machines a more secure method of purchasing ammo, as it is harder for criminals to access the products compared to taking them off a store shelf or buying them online, where only basic age verification is required.
Growing Popularity in Rural Areas
American Rounds’ vending machines are particularly appealing to residents of rural areas, where access to traditional gun stores may be limited. Magers highlights that, in these locations, many customers have to drive long distances to purchase ammunition. As a result, the vending machines have become quite popular in these communities. The machines are restocked every couple of weeks, and the ammo available changes according to the season, catering to hunters who need specific rounds during hunting seasons. For example, turkey hunting rounds are available during the spring, and deer hunting rounds are stocked in the fall.
Despite the popularity, some grocery store staff have declined to comment on the machines, while others, like Vicki Briscoe from Fresh Value in Pell City, Alabama, noted that the dispensers are “very popular” among local customers.
Concerns About Security and Potential for Misuse
While the technology used in these vending machines is advanced, experts have raised concerns about their potential risks. David Pucino, legal director for the Giffords Law Center, has pointed out that although the machines require ID and facial recognition, they do not conduct background checks. Pucino believes that while age verification is a positive step, the absence of a comprehensive check on the buyer’s background could allow individuals prohibited from purchasing firearms to still obtain ammunition. He views this as a significant gap in the current laws that regulate ammo sales.
In the United States, federal law prohibits people who cannot legally own firearms from buying ammunition, but there are no requirements for vendors to perform background checks. This gap in the law could potentially make it easier for criminals to purchase ammunition without facing any scrutiny.
The Bigger Picture: Exploiting Gaps in Law
Experts like Pucino argue that the vending machine system exploits gaps in the law. While the machines’ age verification system appears more secure than many other options, it does not address other critical factors like checking for red flags or ensuring that ammunition doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. In some areas, local laws require ammunition vendors to maintain detailed sales records or prevent sales to intoxicated individuals. Pucino emphasizes that despite the machines’ security features, they ultimately remove any human oversight, which could allow dangerous individuals to access ammo without much scrutiny.
Furthermore, while American Rounds claims that their vending machines are safer than traditional stores, critics suggest they may inadvertently make it easier for people to access ammunition without any real checks or balances. This raises questions about whether such systems could be improving security or simply bypassing necessary regulations.
