Vending machines may conjure up snacks and sodas but this Dallas startup is bringing a huge twist to the industry.
American Rounds LLC, founded in 2023, is shaking up ammunition sales with its AI-powered vending machines. The company aims to make buying ammo easier and safer than traditional methods.
CEO Grant Magers explains the problem they’re tackling: “Currently ammunition is sold off the shelf or online. These environments lead to inadvertent sales to underaged purchasers and or (in the case of retail stores) a high theft rate.”
Their solution? Automated Ammo Retail Machines (AARMs). These aren’t your average snack dispensers. Each AARM uses ID scanners and facial recognition to check buyers’ identities before a sale. This tech helps stop underage purchases and catches fake IDs.
Ammo vending machine? Yes, an ammo vending machine.
Located at the Lowe’s Market in Canyon Lake, this is the first one in Texas — but locals are torn on the need of it and wonder if it will help ammo get into the wrong hands
Story tonight at 9 on @KABBFOX29 and 10 on @News4SA pic.twitter.com/1EUWwQANqH
— Matt Roy (@MattRoy_TV) July 9, 2024
Privacy concerns? Magers says customer data is safe and won’t be sold. The machines themselves are no pushovers, weighing up to 2,000 pounds and secured inside stores.
Since launching in Alabama last November, American Rounds has expanded to eight locations across three states. They’re mainly in grocery stores and convenience marts, making ammo purchases almost as simple as grabbing a soda – but with more safety checks.
The concept is catching on. American Rounds reports over 200 requests for AARMs in nine states, with Florida showing strong interest.
While some might question selling ammo from vending machines, American Rounds sees it as a way to uphold Second Amendment rights while boosting safety. “We believe in the second amendment and that providing a safe and secure method to sell ammunition is needed in the market,” Magers states.
It’s too soon to tell whether this is the future of ammo sales, but American Rounds is betting their mix of convenience and security will appeal to both stores and shoppers.
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For now, American Rounds is focused on growing responsibly. While some states are eager to get their hands on this innovative trend, you can safely bet there will be states that will make it impossible to market and install this product.
