July 30, 2024
Two Fresh Value grocery stores in Alabama, one in Tuscaloosa and one in Pell City, are selling gun ammunition through AI-powered vending machines.
The refrigerator-sized "retail kiosks," operated by American Rounds, use 360-degree facial recognition to verify a customer's age and government-issued ID before dispensing bullets, according to a New York Post report.
Customers use the kiosks by selecting their desired ammo on a touchscreen, scanning an ID, undergoing a facial recognition check and making a payment.
A Fresh Value representative said customer feedback has been enthusiastic, with a promotional video showing a delighted customer celebrating the convenience of the new system, according to the news report. The vending machines have been approved by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
American Rounds plans to expand these kiosks to Oklahoma, Louisiana and Texas by next year, targeting areas with high hunting activity.