Gun rights’ activists and gun lobbyists never dreamed of anything as unique as what Beaver Valley Rifle & Pistol Club is currently offering. A vending machine within the club is selling non-jacketed ammunition for both rifles and handguns. However, many people have voiced concerns over how the machine operates and the ethics behind the use of the machine.
Reasoning Behind the Vending Machine
The Beaver Valley Rifle & Pistol Club decided to employ the use of the vending machine as a solution for obtaining non-jacketed ammunition for use in the club’s pistols. In most markets, ammunition is sold within sleeves, or jackets, for use in automatic rifles. According to Sam Piccinini, owner of Master Ammo Company and Republican Candidate for Sheriff, the vending machine helps prevent two key issues with the use of jacketed ammunition. Since the lead in jacketed ammunition can separate from the jacket upon hitting the range’s backstops, it causes premature wear on the range’s backstops. Furthermore, the jacket could rebound off the backstop and potentially hurt users of the gun range.
Limited Access to the Gun Ammunition Vending Machine
According to the Beaver Valley Rifle & Pistol Club, the machine is only available to members of the club. Individuals of at least 18 years-old are able to apply for junior membership. Junior members are supervised by an adult sponsor at the club at all times. Each adult club member is given a digital swipe card, which grants access to the club’s indoor shooting ranges in 24 hour periods, but the machine only sells ammunition to members above age 21. Now, some people may be concerned about if the installation of the vending machine is legal and if club members actually want to use it.
Legal Vending Machine for Sale of Ammo
Piccinini maintains a Type 6 Federal Firearms License, which grants him the authority to manufacture and sell ammunition. Club members were having a difficult time finding a permanent supplier of non-jacketed ammunition, so Piccinini created the vending machine for this express purpose. Businesses traditionally receive some sort of financial gain from allowing a vending machine manufacturer to sell products on-site, which may be through rent, commissions, or other fees. However, the Beaver Valley Rifle & Pistol Club does not have any financial investment in the vending machine, so the club is exempted from any potential liability arising from use of the machine.
Businesses are always looking for ways to increase revenue and provide an enjoyable, useful environment for customers. Vending machines for sale of goods, even ammo, are driven by the decisions and needs of both business owners and customers. In this case, members of the Beaver Valley Rifle & Pistol Club approved the installation of the vending machine, and it’s operation has improved the safety of patrons while providing a service. Vending machine manufacturers are no longer resigned to the typical beverage and food items of the past.
