NEW: Odessa mass shooter purchased his weapon in a private sale, which doesn't require a background check, law enforcement officials tell NBCNews. He failed a background check in 2014, the officials add.
The gunman who killed seven people and injured more than 20 in a, purchased his weapon from a private seller, a transaction that does not require a background check, law enforcement officials told NBC News.
Investigators are now looking into who sold the weapon to 36-year-old Seth Ator, who failed a gun background check in 2014 because, law enforcement officials told NBC News, he had a disqualifying mental health issue. If the person who sold the gun to Ator knew of his mental health issues, that seller could face criminal charges.
The House passed a bill in February that would require background checks for nearly all private sales, except those involving family members. But the Senate won't act on it until President Donald Trump makes his position clear. , Journey Oil Field Services, on Saturday, right before he went on his rampage in the neighboring cities of Odessa and Midland.Andrew Blankstein is an investigative reporter for NBC News. He covers the Western United States, specializing in crime, courts and homeland security.Pete Williams is an NBC News correspondent who covers the Justice Department and the Supreme Court, based in Washington.
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