Guns have always been a popular item in the United States, with almost half of Americans living in a household with guns. In fact, the U.S. has the highest gun density among all nations in the world, with Yemen coming in a distant second. Astonishingly, the U.S. is the only country where the number of guns surpasses the number of people. It’s no wonder, then, that some states have taken it a step further by allowing people to purchase bullets from vending machines in grocery stores, just like buying a candy bar or a soda.
American Rounds, the vending machine company responsible for this innovative trend, claims to have implemented artificial intelligence and facial recognition technologies to ensure that buyers are of legal age to purchase bullets. This process is more thorough than simply buying a candy bar, making it a unique and novel approach to firearms sales.
In the United States, regulations pertaining to ammunition purchases are surprisingly scarce. However, there are a handful of age-based rules in place. For instance, individuals must be at least 18 years old to purchase ammunition for long guns such as rifles and shotguns. If someone wants to buy bullets for handguns, they must be at least 21 years old. In light of this, American Rounds has developed an identity verification system for its bullet vending machines to ensure that only eligible individuals are able to purchase ammunition. This system is designed to accurately verify the age of the individual seeking to buy bullets.
Here is a video showcasing the convenience of purchasing ammunition through the American Rounds AI-powered retail vending machine. Take a look at how easy the process is in this video.
According to the company’s website, their smart retail automated ammo dispensers come equipped with advanced AI technology, as well as card scanning and facial recognition capabilities. The integrated software ensures that the individual using the machine matches the identification that has been scanned.
According to originally reported, American Rounds’ machines have been popping up at various locations in Oklahoma and Alabama. Recently, a store in Tuscaloosa removed one of these machines after its legality was called into question during a city council meeting. However, the city’s legal department confirmed that the machines are legal as long as they adhere to appropriate zoning requirements. Despite this, the store stated that they removed the machine on July 3rd due to a lack of sales.
If American Rounds responds, Gizmodo will update this story. We have reached out to them for more information about their business.
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