Texas Church Shooter Was Able to Buy Guns Because His Criminal Domestic Violence History Not Submitted to FBI

Under Federal Law Shooter Should Not Have Been Able to Purchase Guns

The Air Force did not submit Texas church shooter Devin Patrick Kelley’s criminal record to the FBI’s national database as required by Pentagon rules. Kelley is the suspect believed to have massacred 26 people, mostly children, in a Texas church on Sunday.

Kelley should not have been able to purchase a gun given his criminal background.

The Air Force released a statement Monday evening, saying Kelly in 2012 was convicted in a court martial of domestic assault against his wife and step son. He served 12 months in a Navy brig and was given a bad conduct discharge in 2014. As a result, federal law banned him from being able to buy guns.

“Kelley’s domestic violence offense was not entered into the National Criminal Information Center database,” the Air Force statement reads.

“Firearms retailer Academy Sports also confirmed Monday that Kelley purchased two weapons from its stores after passing federal background checks this year and last,” The Washington Post reports. “It remains unclear whether those were the same weapons used in Sunday’s massacre, but his ability to purchase guns at all highlights the Air Force’s failure to follow Pentagon guidelines for ensuring certain violent offenses are reported to the FBI.”

To comment on this article and other NCRM content, visit our Facebook page.

If you find NCRM valuable, would you please consider making a donation to support our independent journalism?