Q. Bananas, bagels, and . . . bullets? 

Earlier this year, grocery stores and other businesses in at least four states—Alabama, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas—began installing vending machines that sell ammunition, more than a billion rounds of which were stolen from big-box retailers last year. 

Grant Magers, CEO of American Rounds, says his steel kiosks—which have garnered interest from businesses in all 50 states—are the most secure way to sell ammunition for handguns, rifles, and shotguns. They use facial recognition technology to ensure buyers are at least 21 years old, and they only accept credit cards.

Are vending machines a silver bullet for keeping ammo out of the hands of people who shouldn’t have it, or do they normalize the widespread availability of ammunition and firearms?

A. The argument by vendors for installing these machines may be that they require purchasers to show a driver’s license. However, individuals may use fake or stolen identification to make a purchase, and it is unclear how accurate facial recognition technology is. Furthermore, people under 21 may buy ammunition using an older sibling’s identification. 

Giving the responsibility of selling ammunition to a vending machine also makes rounds more readily available for a quick and easy purchase. 

We know that most homicides in this country are committed with firearms, and the vast majority of suicides are committed with guns. Vending machines are so accessible, people can use them compulsively, as they do to buy snacks. We shouldn’t treat ammunition like a bag of chips or candy.