A select number of supermarkets across Alabama and Oklahoma have introduced new, automated vending machines stocked with ammunition.
The AI-powered machines have been added to several supermarket stores in the red states by American Rounds, ZeroHedge reported.
“This means you can leave the store with milk, eggs, and boxes of 9mm and .223 rounds,” the outlet penned.
American Rounds has stated that six supermarkets now have these new retail automated ammo dispensers, but the company is planning an expansion to eight more across four states.
Current stores include two Fresh Value stores in Alabama and four Super C Mart stores in Oklahoma.
“Our automated ammo dispensers are accessible 24/7, ensuring that you can buy ammunition on your own schedule, free from the constraints of store hours and long lines,” the company states on its website.
The ammunition vending machines’ launch have received widespread support and approval, according to American Rounds CEO Grants Magers.
“We have over 200 store requests for AARM [Automated Ammo Retail Machine] units covering approximately nine states currently and that number is growing daily,” Magers told Newsweek.
“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,” he added.
American Rounds has explained that these vending machines feature built-in AI technology, card scanning capability and facial recognition software to verify that buyers are 21 or older.
They also successfully match buyers to the identity on their licenses.
“What we loved about this concept is the AARM units use state-of-the-art ID scanners combined with facial recognition before a transaction can be made,” Magers said.
The American Rounds CEO continued by stating there will be no limitations on the amount of ammunition customers can purchase, except when the machines run out of stock.
He estimated that the machines would be restocked every two to four weeks, Magers reportedly told Oklahoma TV station KOCO-TV.
The company says it is doing this because it supports “law-abiding, responsible gun ownership.”
Resist the Mainstream reported last month on a very different kind of vending machine hitting Canada; one that offers people easy access to some disturbing supplies.
These include HIV self-test kits, meth pipes, naloxone, crack kits and condoms.
The shocking device–which gives away all items for free– is located at the office of SOAR Community Services.
Manager of healthy communities at the Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) DeAnna Renn dubbed the vending machine “our Healthbox,” boasting “we will be restocking the machine regularly.”
“We have a way to detect when the supplies are low so that we can restock,” she said of the products she calls “harm reduction supplies.”
Canada invested roughly $3.5 million to fund “MySafe” vending machines in four cities back in 2021, Resist the Mainstream previously reported.
The vending machines dispensed a medical-grade opioid to help prevent overdose deaths, and the devices operated similar to ATMs.
Global News reported the goal was to help users access a safer drug without fear, shame and stigma.
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