The vending machine, bullet packs, and bullets provided by American Rounds company.
Vending machines are an old charming piece of technology that supposedly makes the lives of people easier by making water, snacks and food in general readily available. However, a new piece of automated machines cropping up in parts of the US can even dispense bullets or ammunition.
A company called American Rounds has put up vending machines in grocery shops with the aim of making the bullets ‘more available’ for customers.
The vending machines can be accessed by residents living in three US states as of now- namely Alabama, Oklahoma, and Texas.
The company, according to its website, also says that its vending machines are as easy to use as an ATM.
American Rounds says that it aims to redefine convenience in ammunition purchasing, as its ammo dispensers can be accessed round the clock.
The company’s website also promises a ‘hassle-free buying experience every time,’ and of a smooth transaction every time a prospective buyer reaches it.
The ‘smart automated’ bullet dispensing machines use AI technology to identify the buyer’s details before allowing the purchase, according to American Rounds website.
“Our smart retail automated ammo dispensers have built-in AI technology, card scanning capability and facial recognition software. Each piece of software works together to verify the buyer’s age and that the person using the machine matches the identification scanned,” the website reads.
According to the company, its vending machines are currently installed at six locations in the three states, and the company expects to expand operations soon.
The instructions printed on the vending machine reveal that the customers can choose the type of ammo they want, verify their ID, and then proceed to payment, making it sound like a simple and easy-to-learn mechanism.
The Second Amendment to the US Constitution grants citizens the right to purchase and bear arms. According to a study by Pew Research Center, about a third of US adults say that they personally own a gun.
Personal protection (72 percent) emerges as the main reason for owning a gun among Americans, according to the survey. Hunting (32 percent), sport shooting (30 percent) and building a gun collection (15 percent) are some of the other reasons for which US citizens said they owned a gun.
This high gun ownership rate constantly worries a section of the society and it has been blamed as the primary reason for the school shootings and killing sprees in which firearms are involved.
Gun owners, however, state that the possession acts as a deterrent and is essential for their protection and the betterment of the society.
However, an interesting thing is that American Rounds says it is targeting states such as Louisiana and Colorado for expansion as hunting is popular in these regions, according to a report by the Telegraph.
Moreover, the report also quotes the company’s CEO Grant Magers saying that he has received over 200 requests to install the ammo dispensing vending machines in the country, and the number continues to rise.
It remains to be seen how the majority of US will react to the idea of bullet-dispensing vending machines being placed at grocery shops and other easily accessible places and how it will impact the sales and popularity of firearms.
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Abhishek Bhardwaj Abhishek brings a wealth of experience in covering diverse stories across different beats. Having contributed to renowned wire agencies and Indian media outlets like ANI and NDTV, he is keenly interested in Tech, Business and Defense coverage.
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