(CNSNews.com) - A Virginia newspaper that came under fire for publishing the names and addresses of registered gun owners in the commonwealth removed the database from its website Monday night, citing security concerns.

"When we posted the information [on Sunday], we had every reason to believe that the data the State Police had supplied would comply with the statutes," Debbie Meade, president and publisher of The Roanoke Times said in a statement. "But people have notified us that the list includes names that should not have been released."

Meade said a "sense of caution and concern for the public" prompted the newspaper to remove the database from its website.

As Cybercast News Service reported earlier, gun rights advocates expressed concern over the database because it provided the home addresses of more than 130,000 Virginians approved to conceal a handgun. Virginia allows residents to openly carry a handgun, but requires a permit to conceal one.

"I've talked to federal agents who have testified against criminals, and police who have permits, that now have their home address posted on the Internet," Philip Van Cleave, president of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, told Cybercast News Service.

According to VCDL, the database included the home address of the Chief Justice of the Virginia Supreme Court, Leroy Hassell.

In a statement posted on its website, VCDL praised the decision to remove the database and called on The Roanoke Times to offer gun owners "a sincere and front page apology for having a massive lapse in judgement (sic)."

See Earlier Story:
Gun Owners Irked By Newspaper Database Ploy (March 13, 2007)