Sutherland Springs taking pictures

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado is demanding that the Pentagon evaluation the best way it handles navy data after the Air Force did not notify legislation enforcement officers in regards to the violent previous 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 discovered responsible on home violence fees — to purchase weapons legally earlier than murdering at the least 26 folks in Sutherland Springs, Texas.

Had the Air Force correctly flagged his previous, Kelley’s file would have been entered right into a federal background database and his domestic-violence offense would have prevented him from buying 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 desires the Pentagon to clarify the method wherein the Defense Department forwards details about service members to the authorities who deal with background checks. That consists of an accounting of its efforts to keep away from a repeat of the Texas tragedy, and whether or not “any regulatory or statutory changes are required in order to comply with federal law regarding NICS.”