In a move that is raising eyebrows and sparking debate, vending machines stocked with ammunition have begun appearing in grocery stores across the United States. American Rounds, the company behind these machines, claims they offer the convenience of purchasing ammunition with the same ease as using an ATM.
“Our automated ammo dispensers are accessible 24/7, ensuring that you can buy ammunition on your own schedule, free from the constraints of store hours and long lines,” The machines come fitted with the latest AI technology, card-scanning capability, and facial recognition software to verify the buyer’s identification and age.
American Rounds’ CEO, Grant Magers, told Newsweek that the company has installed or is in the process of installing eight machines across four states. Its first machine was placed inside a Fresh Value grocery store in Pell City, Alabama. Other units have been located in Super C Mart locations in Oklahoma and Lowe’s Markets in Canyon Lake, Texas. Still, another machine will be installed at LaGrees Food Stores in Buena Vista, Colorado.
“We have over 200 store requests for Automated Ammo Retail Machine (AARM) units covering approximately nine states currently, and that number is growing daily,” Magers said. He stressed that American Rounds supports “law-abiding, responsible gun ownership” and believes their machines reduce the risk of inadvertent sales to underaged purchasers and theft.
He also noted that there are no limits to how much ammunition a customer can buy, except when the machines run out. He estimated he would have to restock every two to four weeks, depending on sales.
The legality of these machines has been confirmed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. “A federal license is not required to sell ammunition. However, commercial sales of ammunition must comply with state laws as well as any applicable federal laws,” the ATF said in an email to Newsweek.
Nevertheless, the machines have not been without controversy. A machine in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, was removed after its legality was questioned during a city council meeting. Tuscaloosa City Council President Kip Tyner thought that the machines were a joke. “I got some calls about ammunition being sold in grocery stores, vending machines. I thought it was a lie. I thought it was a joke—but it’s not,” he said.
While some on social media cheered on the introduction of these machines, others were very much concerned about how much easier it was going to be for everyone to get ammunition. Gun control advocate Shannon Watts shared an article regarding the machines on X, formerly Twitter, and wrote: “THIS IS REAL.”
The debate seems to be stuck in Kafkaesque limbo, yet American Rounds keeps building out its footprint. It plans to add more machines in Colorado and Texas while further expanding in Oklahoma.
These AI-powered ammo vending machines have been launched at a time when gun control is one of the most contentious issues in the United States. Yet to be determined is whether these machines will soon be placed in grocery stores around the United States or whether policymakers will erect more hurdles for them.