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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Vending machines can carry a variety of goods like chips and drinks, but have you ever heard of a vending machine that dispenses ammunition?
It might sound like a device out of a video game, but American Rounds LLC, founded last summer, is making ammunition more accessible by installing AI-automated vending machines in grocery stores across the South. Taking responsibility.
The Dallas-based company installed its first automated ammo retail machine last November at a Fresh Value grocery store in Peel City, Alabama.
American Rounds CEO Grant Majors said the idea behind the vending machines was to provide a safer way to sell ammunition.
“Ammunition is currently sold off the shelf or online,” Majors said in a message to 8 On Your Side. “This environment inadvertently leads to sales to younger buyers and or (in the case of retail stores) higher rates of theft.”
To secure ammo sales, AARMs are placed inside retail locations and ID scanners with facial recognition technology are used before customers purchase ammo. This keeps ammo out of the hands of minors or people using fake IDs.
However, the company is dedicated to protecting customer information and will not give away or sell their data.
The machines weigh up to 2000lbs and are well protected against theft, he said. “Our team as a company is a supporter of law-abiding responsible gun ownership. We believe in the Second Amendment and the need to provide a safe and secure way to market ammunition. This maintains the integrity of the Second Amendment and reduces the opportunity for error in the retail environment.
Since setting up its first machine in Peel City, American Rounds has expanded to eight different locations: the original in Alabama, four at Super C Marts in Oklahoma, and two at Lowes Markets in Canyon Lake, Texas.
According to Majors, American Rounds has received more than 200 applications for AARM for stores in nine states.
As for Florida, the CEO said he hopes to have the machines installed in the Sunshine State soon.
“Absolutely we would love to expand into Florida. We've received multiple requests,” Majors said. “Hopefully, we will soon have the opportunity to be a part of the great Florida community.”