Cornyn Wants Stronger Background Check System After Sutherland Springs Church Shooting

WASHINGTON -- Texas Sen. John Cornyn announced plans Tuesday to push legislation that would strengthen the nation's background check system for gun buyers, days after a gunman killed 26 people Sunday at a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.Cornyn said he wants to create incentives for the military and federal agencies to quickly upload conviction records to the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System. Before selling a gun, cashiers must check the listto ensure that each customer does not have a criminal record.The system relies on accurate data and Cornyn, the second-ranking member of the Senate, said the background check "failed us terribly" in Sutherland Springs. Devin Patrick Kelley's bad-conduct discharge from the Air Force and domestic violence conviction should have kept him from purchasing a Ruger AR-556 last year, the rifle he used in the rampage. The Air Force is investigating why it didn't send those records to the FBI databaseamid an outcry in Congress.  Continue reading...