The Star writes "But even if his court-martial and conviction had been reported, Kelley could have still skipped any sort of background check if he bought his guns through a private sale or a gun show." Not one mass shooter has purchased his firearms via a gun show or private sales! The problem with the Kelley case was federal incompetence, i.e., the Air force, not inputing his conviction for Domestic Violence and being Dishonorably Discharge into the FBI's data system, both made Kelley a prohibited possessor. And he likely committed federal felonies when purchasing his firearms, by lying on the ATF 4473 "Purchase of a Firearm" form that asks if a person has been convicted of Domestic Violence or been Dishonorably Discharged from the military. A positive answer to either would halt the sale! These existing federal gun laws did NOT deter or prevent Kelley from obtaining firearms.
Alice Moreno
North side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
