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 — to buy guns legally before murdering at least 26 people in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
Had the Air Force , 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.
The Democratic lawmaker wants the Pentagon to explain the process in which the Defense Department forwards information about service members to the authorities who handle background checks. That includes an accounting of its efforts to avoid a repeat of the Texas tragedy, and whether “any regulatory or statutory changes are required in order to comply with federal law regarding NICS.”
Bennet also requested an audit of how the system has functioned in years past.
His request adds to the growing chorus of voices asking for a review of military record-sharing following the Sutherland Springs massacre.
No excuse for this. I'm calling on the Department of Defense to audit old case files to prevent this deadly error from happening again.
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand)
Fellow Senate Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand of New York has asked for an audit, too. Defense Department officials said this week that they would and others potentially like it.
Nick Wagner, Austin American-Statesman via AP
Carrie Matula embraces a woman after a fatal shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017. Matula said she heard the shooting from the gas station where she works a block away.
Nick Wagner, Austin American-Statesman via AP
Law enforcement officials work the scene of a fatal shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017.
Jay Janner, Austin American-Statesman via AP
Investigators work at the scene of a mass shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, on Sunday Nov. 5, 2017. A man opened fire inside of the church in the small South Texas community on Sunday, killing more than 20 people.
Jay Janner, Austin American-Statesman via AP
Investigators work at the scene of a deadly shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, Sunday Nov. 5, 2017. A man opened fire inside of the church in the small South Texas community on Sunday, killing more than 20 people.
Nick Wagner, Austin American-Statesman via AP
A man wipes his eyes after a deadly shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017. A man opened fire inside of the church in the small South Texas community on Sunday, killing more than 20 people.
San Antonio Express-News, Zuma Press/TNS
A group gathered in prayer outside the Community Center, after a mass shooting occurred at the First Baptist Church on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017.
Jay Janner, Austin American-Statesman via AP
Enrique and Gabby Garcia watch investigators at the scene of a mass shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, on Sunday Nov. 5, 2017. A man opened fire inside of the church in the small South Texas community on Sunday, killing more than 20 people.
Erich Schlegel, Getty Images
Law enforcement and forensic officials gather near the First Baptist Church following a shooting on Nov. 5, 2017 in Sutherland Springs, Texas. At least 20 people were reportedly killed and 24 injured when a gunman, identified as Devin P. Kelley, 26, entered the church during a service and opened fire.
Erich Schlegel, Getty Images
People gather near First Baptist Church following a shooting on Nov. 5, 2017 in Sutherland Springs, Texas. At least 26 people were reportedly killed and 24 injured when a gunman, identified as Devin P. Kelley, 26, entered the church during a service and opened fire.
Jay Janner, Austin American-Statesman via AP
A couple comfort each other at a community center in Sutherland Springs, Texas, near the scene of a mass shooting at the First Baptist Church on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017. A man opened fire inside of the church in the small South Texas community on Sunday, killing more than 20 people.
Nick Wagner, Austin American-Statesman via AP
A woman prays with a man after a fatal shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017.
Eric Baradat, AFP/Getty Images
Texas Governor Greg Abbott speaks at a press conference on Nov. 5, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas about the First Baptist Church mass shooting.
"There are 26 lives that have been lost. We don't know if that number will rise or not, all we know is that's too many, and this will be a long, suffering mourning for those in pain," Abbott said.
Suzanne Cordeiro, AFP/Getty Images
Wilson County Sheriff Joe Tackitt (C) speaks at a press conference on Nov. 5, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas about the First Baptist Church mass shooting.
"There are 26 lives that have been lost. We don't know if that number will rise or not, all we know is that's too many, and this will be a long, suffering mourning for those in pain," Texas Governor Greg Abbott (L seated) said.
Darren Abate, The Associated Press
Law enforcement officers man a barricade near the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs after a fatal shooting, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
Suzanne Cordeiro, AFP/Getty Images
Police block a road in Sutherland Springs, Texas, on Nov. 5, 2017, after a mass shooting at the the First Baptist Church.
A gunman went into the church during Sunday morning services and shot dead some two dozen worshippers, the sheriff said, in the latest mass shooting to shock the US. "Approximately 25 people" were dead, including the shooter, Wilson County Sheriff Joe Tackitt told NBC News. At least 10 people were wounded. The motive was not immediately known, he added.
Nick Wagner, Austin American-Statesman via AP
Law enforcement officials works at the scene of a fatal shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017.
Darren Abate, The Associated Press
Members of the FBI walk behind the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs after a fatal shooting, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
Jay Janner, Austin American-Statesman via AP
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott consoles Ann Montgomery, a Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs during a candlelight vigil for the victims of a fatal shooting at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
Darren Abate, The Associated Press
Mourners participate in a candlelight vigil held for the victims of a fatal shooting at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
Darren Abate, The Associated Press
Mourners participate in a candlelight vigil held for the victims of a fatal shooting at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
Jay Janner, Austin American-Statesman via AP
Bailey LeJeaune, 17, and David Betancourt, 18, hold candles during a vigil in Sutherland Springs for the victims of a deadly shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017. A man opened fire inside of the church in the small South Texas community on Sunday, killing more than 20 people.
Nick Wagner, Austin American-Statesman via AP
Lisa Cavazos speaks with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott during a candlelight vigil held for the victims of a fatal shooting at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
Nick Wagner, Austin American-Statesman via AP
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Carrie Matula embraces a woman after a fatal shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017. Matula said she heard the shooting from the gas station where she works a block away.
