By I. Hansana, Jadetimes News
Ammo Vending Machines Introduced in Southern Grocery Stores
Select grocery stores in the southern U.S. have started offering a new product, ammunition dispensed from advanced vending machines. These machines, stocked with 12 gauge shotgun shells and 9mm rounds, have been installed by American Rounds in approximately ten grocery stores across Alabama, Oklahoma, and Texas, with plans to expand to Colorado.
High Tech Verification and Security Measures
To purchase ammunition, buyers must be at least 21 years old. The machines verify this by scanning IDs and using facial recognition technology to ensure the ID matches the buyer’s face. Only credit cards are accepted for payment; cash is not an option.
Grant Magers, CEO of American Rounds, emphasized the safety of these dispensers. He highlighted that their process for verifying buyers makes these machines potentially the safest method for selling ammunition. “People have in their mind the old type of vending machine that drops a candy bar to the bottom or a bag of chips,” Magers said. “That’s not how these operate.”
The first machine was installed in a Fresh Value grocery store in Pell City, Alabama, in November 2023, and a second was added to a Lowe’s Market in Canyon Lakes, Texas, by the end of June 2024. Fresh Value, Lowe’s Market, and Super C Mart, the third chain hosting these machines, did not respond to requests for comment.
Enhanced Security
Magers stated that each machine weighs 2,000 pounds and the ammunition is secured behind multiple layers of locked steel. He believes this setup is more secure than traditional gun shops, where ammunition can be easily pocketed. Online sellers, he added, often only require a simple age verification checkbox.
“When you put it in context in terms of availability, we’re the safest and most secure on the market, and that’s what we want,” Magers asserted. “We’re bettering our communities by being responsible in terms of how we sell ammunition.”
Expert Concerns
Despite the enhanced security features, experts express concern that these machines might make it easier for criminals to obtain ammunition. David Pucino, legal director for the Giffords Law Center, argued that without a background check system, the vending machines could facilitate unlawful sales. “Their accomplishment is that they’re making it easier and easier to source ammo, no questions asked,” Pucino said.
Location and Restocking
The machines are primarily located in rural areas where gun owners might otherwise have to drive an hour to purchase ammunition from a sporting goods store. Staff at several stores housing these machines declined to comment, with some hanging up on reporters. Vicki Briscoe, a shift manager at the original Alabama location, mentioned that the machine was “very popular” among local customers but declined to comment further.
American Rounds restocks the machines every two weeks to a month. The ammunition selection varies seasonally, offering rounds for hunting turkey during turkey hunting season and rounds for deer hunting during deer season. Magers noted that the machines do not retain purchaser data.
Regulatory Gaps and Safety Concerns
While the machines might go beyond local laws by requiring ID verification for ammunition purchases, Pucino pointed out that this does not necessarily make them safer. He criticized the industry for exploiting gaps in federal law, which does not require background checks for ammunition purchases.
“You have the industry exploiting gaps in the law, ostensibly for the purpose of preventing theft, but potentially going the other way and removing all the checks without concern that ammunition in the wrong hands can kill people,” Pucino said.
In some locations, regulations are stricter. For example, Sacramento requires ammo vendors to maintain sales records, and Tennessee law prohibits vendors from selling to intoxicated individuals. Pucino acknowledged the age verification feature of the machines but stressed the need for human oversight to identify red flags.
