The depositions of the parents of Columbine killers Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold will be kept under seal in the National Archives for 20 years, a federal judge ruled Monday.

No one, including violence prevention experts, will be able to see them until they are unsealed, U.S. District Judge Lewis Babcock ruled. They will be kept permanently in the National Archives, where they are considered to be of historical value.

“I am mindful that there is a legitimate public interest in these materials so that similar tragedies may hopefully be prevented in the future,” Babcock said. “I conclude, however, that the balance of interests still strikes in favor of maintaining strict confidentiality.”

The depositions of the parents took place in 2003 in connection with a lawsuit filed by the families of five slain Columbine High School students.

Brian Rohrbough, the father of slain student Daniel Rohrbough, said he was angered by the ruling.

Rohrbough, who watched as attorneys interviewed the parents during the deposition sessions, said there is nothing in them that would cause any harm. Instead, their release could prevent further school shootings, he said. Rohrbough is under court order not to divulge details.

“There is no rational reason to lock them up,” Rohrbough said. “It’s just the idea that it would be OK in 20 years, and can’t be OK today.”

He said he is considering appealing Babcock’s ruling.

Colorado Attorney General John Suthers, who had argued that a nationally known violence prevention expert should examine the depositions, had mixed feelings about the ruling.

“We are pleased they are going to be kept on file and not destroyed,” said Nate Strauch, a spokesman for the Colorado Attorney General’s Office. “At the same time, we are disappointed that the judge said it isn’t in the best interests to allow Del Elliott to look at the records and learn from them.”

Suthers had said that Elliott, director of the University of Colorado’s Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, should see the depositions.

Elliott is studying the Columbine shootings, focusing on Harris and Klebold.

“It is important to determine if there were any significant or unusual events, experiences or conditions in Eric’s or Dylan’s early childhood that might predispose them to later violence,” Elliott wrote in an affidavit submitted to Babcock.

The federal judge said he was concerned that the release of detailed information about the events of April 20, 1999 would lead to copycat shootings.

But Judy Brown, who along with her husband Randy, tried to warn Jefferson County officials about Eric Harris’ violent tendencies before the massacre, said she didn’t buy Babcock’s reasoning.

“I don’t understand why they have to remain sealed,” Brown said. “The copycat reasoning doesn’t apply to the depositions.”

Staff writer Howard Pankratz can be reached at 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com.