Sen. Michael Bennet calls for Pentagon review of military records after Texas church massacre
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado is demanding that the Pentagon review the way it handles military records after the Air Force failed to notify law enforcement officials about the violent past of Devin P. Kelley, the Texas church killer and a former service member.
The mistake allowed Kelley — who was booted from the Air Force after being found guilty on domestic violence charges — to buy guns legally before murdering at least 26 people in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
Had the Air Force properly flagged his past, Kelley’s record would have been entered into a federal background database and his domestic-violence offense would have prevented him from purchasing the firearms above-board.
“It is critical that your department work with the FBI immediately to address any errors in the transfer of records” to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, wrote Bennet in a letter this week to Jim Mattis, the U.S. Defense Secretary.
