The company behind ammunition vending machines reportedly announced its intention to expand its footprint across the United States on Friday, Aug. 2. The company known as American Rounds said that it plans to expand to the western part of the United States into states, including California.
The western expansion is reportedly already underway with the first ammunition vending machine being installed in Colorado this week.
Meanwhile, the ammo vending machines are already in states including Texas, Alabama and Oklahoma. American Rounds also said that it has received requests from stores in Indiana and Kentucky.
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According to American Rounds, stores in more than 40 states have requested machines. So far there are no specific state-by-state expansion plans.
In order for people to get ammunition from the vending machine, they must have a valid identification card and be alright with using facial recognition technology to verify their identity. The machines hold ammunition for handguns, rifles and shotguns.
The Colorado store where the state’s first ammunition vending machine was installed is LaGree Food Stores in Buena Vista.
“As a family we are pro-Second Amendment, but we are also for responsible gun ownership,” Orin Lagree, the president of LaGree Food Stores, said. “We believe the technology in these machines will help keep ammo out of the wrong hands.”
However, critics say while security measures are fine, it’s the location of the vending machines that is the problem.
“Innovations that make ammunition more secure via facial recognition, age verification and the tracking of serial sales are promising safety features that belong in gun stores, not in the place where you buy your kids’ milk,” Nick Suplina, the senior vice president of Everytown Gun Safety, said.
“In a country awash in guns and ammo, where guns are the leading cause of deaths for kids, we don’t need to further normalize the sale and promotion of these products,” Suplina added.
The company’s CEO contends that it’s a misconception to think they’re “going to put these everywhere that a vending machine-style product would go.”
“We’re not interested in putting them in every location,” CEO Grant Magers said.
