Vending Machines Touted as Secure Ammo Source
A surprising new development has emerged in Texas, Oklahoma, and Alabama. Grocery stores in these states have started selling ammunition out of vending machines. American Rounds, the vendor responsible for these machines, states that these vending machines will only supply ammo to legal buyers. They use technology to check a buyer’s driver’s license and confirm they are of legal purchasing age. Furthermore, the machine has facial recognition in place to ensure the buyer’s identity is correct.
Company CEO, Grant Magers, confirmed that one machine in Alabama, four in Oklahoma, and one in Texas have been installed so far. In the upcoming weeks, Texas and Colorado can expect one more machine each.
Security Measures Amidst a Climbing Gun Violence Death Toll
However, these progressive moves come during a period where gun violence is a notable concern. The Fourth of July weekend alone claimed at least 33 lives through gun-related violence. Cases of gun violence have also been on the rise in Stockton, Alabama. The southern city experienced a mass shooting in May, leaving three people dead while twelve others suffered injuries.
In light of this surge, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has labeled gun violence as a public health crisis.
Gun-Control Advocates Question Ammo and Groceries Combo
As grocers start selling bullets next to everyday items like milk and eggs, many gun-control advocates expressed concerns. Nick Suplina, the Senior Vice President for Law and Policy at Everytown for Gun Safety, disagrees with moving ammo vending machines out of traditional gun stores and into grocery outlets.
Suplina asserts that in a country swamped with weapons, where gun-related deaths are the primary cause of fatalities among children, we don’t need to push normalizing their sale and promotion.
Pushing for Responsible Gun Ownership
However, CEO Magers counters these criticism by highlighting the elements of security and transparency in these vending machines. He emphasizes that this method of selling ammo eliminates shoplifting chances and offers higher security than online sales, where buyer verification is more challenging.
Magers draws a comparison with widely accepted practices, questioning how having ammo for sale at a grocery store is any different than other retail giants like Walmart selling bullets.
Interestingly, these machines aren’t predominantly in large, bustling cities but in smaller, rural areas instead. Super C Mart and Fresh Value grocery stores in towns like Pell City, Alabama (with a population of 13,600) and Noble, Oklahoma (a population of 7,600) are examples.
A Legal Hurdle
The legality of these machines has also been questioned. After one vending machine was removed from a store in Tuscaloosa, Alabama due to a city council member raising concerns about its legality. However, Magers clarified that the removal was due to low sales. He further stated that more machines will soon be installed elsewhere.
The addition of vending machine ammo sales at grocery stores has ignited a complex debate about gun control, safety, and accessibility in the southern United States. As discussions continue and more machines get ready for delivery, it’s clear this topic won’t readily fade away.