Ammunition Vending Machines in Grocery Stores Could be Placed at Multiple Locations in Oklahoma

WETUMKA, OKLA. (KTUL) — Bullets and bread.

Some Oklahoma grocery stores now have vending machines that sell ammunition.

In the city of Wetumka, there is not an ordinance regulating vending machines or ammunition sales.

The city’s attorney said the deal was completed between a private contractor and a private business owner.

“Honestly, my very first opinion when I saw the vending machine, I had to walk up to it and go see if it was real. I thought it was really funny. I was like woah vending machines were like snacks and pops and now you can get ammo out of it,” said Wetumka resident, Natalie Akins.

The evolution of vending machines has reached another level.

A level that could be the future of how ammunition is sold all over the U.S.

American rounds has been around for less than a year and already has ammo dispensers in several states.

Including four right here in Oklahoma.

One of those locations is in Wetumka inside the Super C Mart.

“My partner and I were looking at this technology and some other industries. We had some strategic partnerships with some folks in the grocery business. Again, the grocery stores brought the idea to us,” said CEO of American Rounds, Grant Magers.

He said the grocery stores that reached out to them said they wanted to offer ammunition as a sales category at their stores like Walmart does.

The vending machines have built-in AI technology to check your ID to make sure it’s real and you are at least 21 years old.

The ammo vending machines or dispensers have a facial recognition scan to check your identification to make sure there’s no fraud when purchasing the ammunition.

The CEO said the machine is quick and easy to use, but will residents in Wetumka use it?

“Honestly, then I see no problem with it. If it’s monitored and it’s like a system that scans ID and scans you and makes sure you are who you say you are, I don’t think anything can go wrong,” said Akins. “It’s just the same as you buy it from a clerk.”

“No one’s appeared at any city council meetings to express either positive or negative feedback,” said the City of Wetumka Attorney Garrett Eller. “I’ll say that in a small town, it’s equated to positive feedback.”

American Rounds provide ammunition for hunting, personal protection, and at-home protection.

From shotgun bullets to rifle bullets to handgun bullets.

However, safety is always first.

“We believe we’re a step in the right direction through safety and we’re going to continue as a company to always do that,” said Magers. “Safe, secure, and maintain the integrity of the second amendment.”

The American Rounds CEO said he’s never had to provide identification when buying ammunition.

He wants this new approach to give Oklahomans peace that those buying ammo in grocery stores are verified to do so.