Ammo Vending Machines: The New Controversy in Texas

A Texas company, American Rounds, is bringing a controversial product to local stores: ATMs for gun ammunition. With the tag line "ammo sales like you’ve never seen before," they've installed their first machine in Texas at a Lowe's Grocery Store in San Antonio, following successful launches in Alabama and Oklahoma.

One of the ways we’re changing the landscape of ammunition sales is by making it more available... Being able to move it to places like your grocery store or supermarket makes it much more available to the public. - American Rounds CEO Grant Magers

How They Work:

The ATMs verify customers’ ages using ID scanners and AI-powered facial recognition software to comply with federal law. After confirming their age, customers can purchase rifle, handgun, or shotgun rounds. Federal law requires individuals to be 18 for shotgun and rifle ammunition and 21 for handgun ammunition.

Mixed Reactions:

The company has received mixed feedback, with some praising the convenience and others calling the idea "insane" and "disgusting." Several people have raised concerns about the potential risks associated with increased ammunition accessibility and the machines' security, given they're often placed near store windows.

After an installation in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the City Council President criticized the concept, and the machine was eventually removed, reportedly due to profitability concerns.

Expansion Plans:

American Rounds has installed around 10 machines in Alabama, Oklahoma, and Texas, with Colorado next on their list. Over 200 stores in Texas alone have requested a machine, and the company CEO aims to expand across the South and Southeast.

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Sources:

• American Rounds website: https://www.americanrounds.com/
• USA TODAY, Michael Loria. https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2022/09/13/ammo-vending-machines-texas-company-american-rounds-sells-gun-ammunition-atms/1937337004/