Illegal Gun Dispensers Proliferate Across the Nation

Illegal Gun Dispensers Proliferate Across the Nation

Let's Talk Guns and Bullets: The U.S. vs the Rest of the World

The Yank folks sure love their guns. A whopping 40% of Americans confess to residing in a home stocked with firearms, making the U.S. the world's frontrunner in the gun-people ratio. Surprisingly, the closest competitor is Yemen, but they can't even come close. In fact, the U.S. is the only nation boasting more firearms than people—yup, you read that right!

This little tidbit shouldn't come as much of a shock when you consider that in certain states, you can buy ammo straight from a vending machine like you would a candy bar or Red Bull. Well, almost. The vending machine company, American Rounds, employs AI and facial recognition tech to ensure buyers are of legal age. So, it's a bit more involved than purchasing a Twix, but still pretty darn convenient!

According to American Rounds CEO, Grant Magers, their machines, fondly referred to as AARMs (Automated Ammo Retail Machines), are active in eight locations, spanning Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas, and Colorado. Mind you, they're experiencing rapid growth and have received over 200 store requests from approximately nine states. These numbers are swelling every day!

It's worth noting that the regulations surrounding ammo purchases in the U.S. are minimal. While federal law requires a minimum age of 18 to buy long gun ammo and 21 for handgun ammo, there's not much else to speak of. American Rounds has developed an identity verification system for their bullet vending machines to address the lack of regulations.

Their website declares, "Our smart retail automated ammo dispensers are equipped with AI technology, card scanning capabilities, and facial recognition software, ensuring the person using the machine matches the identification scanned." Magers informed Gizmodo that their system is designed to prevent sales to minors and verifies the buyer's identity.

Magers argued that their model is safer than traditional ammo sales methods, citing the potential for underage sales and high theft rates in conventional settings. He explained that the machines, which weigh up to 2000lbs, are secured from theft, and only placed inside stores, not outside like Redbox. Magers also hinted at future product offerings at the machines, but declined to elaborate as the plans are still in development.

In July, local news outlets in Alabama reported that a store in Tuscaloosa had removed a machine due to concerns about its legality, which were raised at a city council meeting. Subsequent investigation by the city's legal department revealed that the machines were legal, providing they met proper zoning requirements. The store maintained that they had removed the machine because of lackluster sales, not legal issues.

Update, July 11, 2:17 p.m. ET: This story has been updated to include a statement from the American Rounds CEO.

Fun Fact: The closest competitor to the U.S. in terms of guns-to-people ratio is Yemen, with a ratio of approximately 1 gun for every 13 people, compared to the U.S., where there's 1 gun for every 11 people.

Despite the significant gun-to-people ratio in the United States, the technology used in vending machines, like those from American Rounds, exists to ensure that only persons of legal age can purchase ammunition. This tech, which comprises AI and facial recognition, is designed to prevent sales to minors and verify the buyer's identity. The U.S., however, is still the only nation where the ratio of firearms to people exceeds one, shockingly outpacing countries like Yemen, where the ratio is approximately one gun for every 13 people. This convenience-enhancing technology in the future may even expand to offer additional products at these machines, as hinted by American Rounds CEO, Grant Magers.

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