Columbine - 10 years later

I find it interesting that some of the parents of those killed in the Columbine attack are now crowing that it is time to increase the restrictions on purchasing firearms. Tom and Linda Mauser who had a son killed in the tragedy now "honor" their son's memory by campaigning for stricter controls.

Lets take a look at some facts behind the guns used that fateful day and how they were obtained.

The guns: Intratec TEC-DC9 pistol, Hi-Point 9mm Carbine, Savage 67H pump-action shotgun, and a Savage 311-D 12-gauge shotgun.

How obtained: The carbine and both shotguns were purchased by Robyn Anderson, a friend of Klebold and Harris, bought the shotguns and the Hi-Point 9mm Carbine at The Tanner Gun Show in December of 1998 from non FFL sellers. The TEC-DC9 was purchased by the shooters from a friend.

Legality: The purchases by Anderson were LEGAL purchases at the time under Colorado law as she had reached the age of 18. However, when she then transferred the guns to Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, the purchase became an illegal straw purchase. The TEC-DC9 was purchased from a friend who apparently knew the ages of the shooters but still sold them the pistol for $500. A quck Internet check shows that one can legally purchase a TEC-DC9 today for under $250. The inflated price would lead one to believe that the seller knew that the kids would not be able to purchase the gun legally hence the increase in the price for the illegal sale.

While Columbine was a tragedy for the students and their families, it was also a tragedy for our 2A rights as well. It has become a rally point for all of those who seek to ignore or destroy our 2A rights.

The fact is all four of the guns used in this shooting were acquired ILLEGALLY. Further evidence that those bent on destruction will find a willing partner to supply them their arms. Although the gun grabbers state they are not after our "hunting" firearms, using this incident as their battle cry only further exposes the truth. The two shot guns are typically used for hunting purposes, the 9mm carbine is a pistol round in a rifle, not really a hunting weapon but great for knocking holes in paper. Even the TEC-DC9 is only a semi-automatic pistol even though it received special attention in the 1994 AWB.