Among the produce, aspirin, and breakfast cereal in this local grocer, there now sits a vending machine that sells live rounds instead of Coca-Cola and candy.
Grant Magers, the CEO of American Rounds, believes that ammo is a fitting addition to the store.
“Walmart sells ammo, right? So if you think about Walmart, the only difference is they have a sporting goods department. A lot of our grocery stores are in rural towns where people have to drive, perhaps an hour, to reach their nearest sporting goods store that sells ammo,” Magers explained.
Furthermore, Magers states that his method of selling ammunition is the safest option available.
“Every time I’ve purchased ammo, I’ve never been asked for ID. This doesn’t happen often, especially online where a minor could easily pretend to be 21 and use their parents’ credit card,” Magers added.
The machine utilizes facial recognition technology, and if the buyer’s face does not match the scanned ID, the sale is rejected.
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If the buyer is confirmed to be 21 years old and matches the scanned ID, they can purchase rifle, handgun, or shotgun ammo from the machine.
“We are promoting a safer environment for communities through the retail sale of ammunition, while upholding the integrity of the Second Amendment,” Magers emphasized.
However, some gun control advocates believe that surpassing the security of online sales is a low standard.
Kris Brown, the president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, expressed concerns about potential risks associated with unrestricted ammunition sales.
“It worries me greatly as a parent. Even individuals with a history of domestic violence, who may have had their guns taken away, could still potentially buy ammunition without any background check or questioning from store staff,” Brown remarked.
Some states like California and Illinois mandate background checks for ammo purchases.
Currently, American Rounds has installed six machines in three states – Texas, Oklahoma, and Alabama – and has observed an 800% increase in transactions since July 3, with grocers nationwide expressing interest in acquiring their own machine.
“We are receiving 20 emails per hour, and the overwhelming majority of them are in full support of our initiative,” Magers revealed.
