Grocery store in Alabama removes ammo vending machine

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WBMA) — An Alabama grocery store has removed a vending machine after the legality of the machine was questioned during a pre-council meeting.

The vending machine doesn’t sell drinks, snacks or toys but something very different.

“I got some calls about ammunition being sold in grocery stores, vending machines, the vending machines,” Councilman Kip Tyner said during the meeting on Tuesday. “Is that? I mean, I thought it was a Lie. I thought it was a joke – but it’s not.”

The vending machine is made by American Rounds. The company posted a video on YouTube showing the installation of one of the vending machines in Pell City.

The video shows ammo being delivered, loaded into the machine and the security measures in place to ensure the buyer is 21 or older.

The CEO the company, Grant Majors, said in the video that it’s a way to expand access to ammunition in a safe way.

“We have a very secure automated retail machine. We’re able to age verify, we scan a driver’s license and then we take a 360 scan for facial recognition for the purchase and matches to the ID. So, the machines really provide an opportunity for safe, affordable, and available ammunition sales.”

As for the Tuscaloosa grocery store, a manager for Fresh Value said the store removed the machine on July 3 because of a lack of sales.