Ammunition vending machines introduced in 3 southern states, with plans for more

Texas-based company, American Rounds has made the controversial decision to start selling bullets and ammunition through vending machines in grocery stores across three southern states.& This initiative, which began in 2023, has raised concerns among gun control advocates and organizations such as Everytown for Gun Safety. According to the Associated Press, CEO of American Rounds, Grant Magers, stated that the idea originated when grocery stores and other retailers were seeking innovative ways to sell ammunition.& As of now, there are six machines in operation: one in Alabama, four in Oklahoma, and one in Texas. There are plans to expand further, with an additional machine in Texas and another in Colorado. These vending machines are equipped with advanced technology, including facial detection and identification scanners, to ensure a more secure purchase environment. Despite these security measures, critics like Nick Suplina, senior vice president for law and policy at Everytown for Gun Safety, have major concerns.& & Suplina argued that while these safety measures could enhance safety in gun stores, their presence in everyday locations like grocery stores sends the wrong message. “In a country awash in guns and ammo, where guns are the leading cause of deaths for kids, we don’t...