SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, Texas — A Sutherland Springs family is suing Academy Sports, the Texas-based athletic store that sold church shooter Devin Kelley the assault rifle that killed three of their family members.

The Webster Law Firm confirmed the Ward family is suing Academy Sports and Outdoors.

At the time, both sales were approved by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

RELATED | FAMILY TO SUE AIR FORCE OVER SUTHERLAND SPRINGS CHURCH SHOOTING

The Air Force failed to report the accused Texas church shooter's domestic violence conviction to the FBI as required by Pentagon rules, allowing Kelley to obtain a gun license.

"When Kelley purchased the Ruger, he reported a Colorado Springs, Colorado address on his Firearms Transaction Record, Form 4473, a federal form. This should have disqualified Kelley from ever purchasing the assault rifle. Kelley’s identification indicated he was a resident of Colorado — not Texas. Meaning, he never should have been sold the very weapon he used in the Sutherland Springs shooting because it would have been illegal for Kelley to transport that gun to his residence. Instead, Academy should have transferred the firearm to Colorado, for Kelley, a Colorado resident, to retrieve," the lawsuit says.

The Ward family lost 30-year-old Joann Ward, 5-year-old Brooke Ward, and 7-year-old Emily Garcia. Ryland Ward, age 5, was shot five times but survived. 

The Holcombe family, who lost nine members of their family, also filed a federal claim against the U.S Air Force.

Read the full lawsuit here.