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Anderson now denies she made 'straw buys'
By Karen AbbottDenver Rocky Mountain News Staff Writer
Robyn Anderson, who testified before lawmakers a year ago that she helped two gunmen buy weapons used to attack Columbine High, has denied in federal court that she actually purchased any guns. Her denials were in written legal responses to civil lawsuits filed against Anderson over the Columbine attack. She said it was Columbine gunmen Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold who purchased the two shotguns and the rifle they later used to kill 13 people and wound more than 20 others before taking their own lives at the school on April 20, 1999. Anderson could not be reached for comment Tuesday. In her testimony last year, Anderson admitted she went with Harris and Klebold to the gun show where the two shotguns and a rifle were purchased. She said that she displayed her ID there. Anderson was 18 at the time, old enough to legally buy the guns. Harris and Klebold were both 17, too young. Anderson told legislators a year ago that she didn't realize she actually was considered the buyer of the weapons. She testified that it was Harris and Klebold who examined the guns, asked all the questions and paid in cash. Her legal responses to the civil lawsuits in Denver U.S. District Court were filed by her lawyer, Richard Everstine of Denver. He did not return a telephone call Tuesday. Anderson testified before Colorado lawmakers in January 2000 as part of an effort to require background checks for purchases of guns from private owners at gun shows, as well as from federally licensed firearms dealers. Colorado voters approved the measure in November. Anderson told the lawmakers that a background check would have intimidated her so much that she wouldn't have helped Harris and Klebold buy the three guns. She would have passed a background check, however, because she has no criminal record. She testified that she did not know Harris and Klebold planned to kill anyone. Contact Karen Abbott at (303) 892-5188 or abbottk@RockyMountainNews.com. January 10, 2001
Robyn Anderson, who testified before lawmakers a year ago that she helped two gunmen buy weapons used to attack Columbine High, has denied in federal court that she actually purchased any guns.
Her denials were in written legal responses to civil lawsuits filed against Anderson over the Columbine attack.
She said it was Columbine gunmen Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold who purchased the two shotguns and the rifle they later used to kill 13 people and wound more than 20 others before taking their own lives at the school on April 20, 1999.
Anderson could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
In her testimony last year, Anderson admitted she went with Harris and Klebold to the gun show where the two shotguns and a rifle were purchased. She said that she displayed her ID there.
Anderson was 18 at the time, old enough to legally buy the guns. Harris and Klebold were both 17, too young.
Anderson told legislators a year ago that she didn't realize she actually was considered the buyer of the weapons.
She testified that it was Harris and Klebold who examined the guns, asked all the questions and paid in cash.
Her legal responses to the civil lawsuits in Denver U.S. District Court were filed by her lawyer, Richard Everstine of Denver. He did not return a telephone call Tuesday.
Anderson testified before Colorado lawmakers in January 2000 as part of an effort to require background checks for purchases of guns from private owners at gun shows, as well as from federally licensed firearms dealers. Colorado voters approved the measure in November.
Anderson told the lawmakers that a background check would have intimidated her so much that she wouldn't have helped Harris and Klebold buy the three guns. She would have passed a background check, however, because she has no criminal record.
She testified that she did not know Harris and Klebold planned to kill anyone.
Contact Karen Abbott at (303) 892-5188 or abbottk@RockyMountainNews.com.
January 10, 2001