Several U.S. grocery stores now offer an unusual item – access to bullets 24/7. American Rounds, a Texas-based company, is installing vending machines in stores to provide customers with convenient access to firearm ammunition. The company claims that this move will revolutionize the convenience of ammunition purchasing. However, critics are worried about the potential for increased gun violence.
According to the company, their automated ammunition dispensers are available round the clock, allowing you to purchase ammo at your convenience without being bound by store timings or queues. The company claims that their machines are user-friendly and as simple to operate as an ATM.
Currently, the machines can be found in several locations across three states: Oklahoma, Alabama, and Texas.
The National Rifle Association of America Institute for Legislative Action reports that gun purchases in three states can be made without a permit and that gun owners are not required to have licenses or register their firearms in these states.
According to the company, their machines prioritize security and are equipped with advanced AI technology. This technology includes card scanning and facial recognition software that meticulously verifies the identity and age of every buyer.
In an interview with the Associated Press, Grant Magers, the CEO of American Rounds, emphasized the company’s stance on responsible gun ownership while also being supportive of the Second Amendment. Magers mentioned that their machines strictly adhere to federal law which mandates buyers to be at least 21 years old. To confirm the age of the buyer, a driver’s license scan is required, which is further verified through facial recognition technology.
According to him, once you are familiar with the machine, the entire process takes only 90 seconds. He also mentioned that there are plans to increase the number of machines in Texas and Colorado in the upcoming weeks.
According to the Associated Press, Nick Suplina, who serves as the Senior Vice President for Law and Policy at Everytown for Gun Safety, believes that safety measures like vending machines are better suited for gun stores than places where individuals purchase everyday items like milk for their children. He sees these innovations as a promising way to increase safety in the sale of firearms.
According to Suplina, the promotion and sale of guns and ammunition should not be further normalized in a country where they are the leading cause of death for children, and where there is already an abundance of these products available.
Only a few weeks ago, Dr. Vivek Murthy, the U.S. Surgeon General, deemed gun violence a public health crisis. He emphasized that it is a serious problem that must be addressed in the same manner as smoking was tackled more than half a century ago, within the realm of public health.
According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in June, gun injury rates in the United States remained higher than pre-pandemic levels, especially among Black and Hispanic communities. The report also found that areas with severe housing problems had consistently higher rates of firearm injuries. Shockingly, children and teenagers under 14 years old had the largest persistent elevation in gun injury rates last year.
