An access and storage system including a storage component configured to store items therein or thereon in an associated storage position, wherein the storage component is configured to provide a user direct manual access to the items in the storage positions. The system further includes a sensor system configured to track at least one of the user's removal of an item from the associated storage position or replacement of an item to the associated storage position and an identification system for identifying the user. The system also has an authorization database operatively coupled to the identification system for tracking which of the items a particular identified user is authorized to access.