The Virginia Citizen's Defense League issued a release on a pro-gun win in Virginia Beach. They don't have the alert online, and I was unable to find an article, so I have reprinted the alert in it's entirety.

Under pressure from VCDL activists, Virginia Beach drops handgun permit requirement!

Virginia Beach has dropped its ordinance requiring anyone purchasing a handgun in Virginia Beach to get a permit to do so from the
police!!! According to the letter I am looking at from the City of Virginia Beach to Virginia Beach gun dealers, the change became
effective yesterday.

This is not only great news for gun owners, but it is also wonderful news for the gun stores and gun shows in Virginia Beach.

VCDL member Steve Haynes has been working hard on three issues in Virginia Beach:

* Virginia Beach's handgun permit applications *require* you to provide your social security number and a reason for wanting to
purchase the handgun - neither authorized by state law

* Virginia Beach's handgun permit is not necessary now that NICS is being used statewide anyhow

* Virginia Beach's refusal to allow a citizen into their police stations if that citizen is lawfully carrying a handgun. The sign in
front of the police station asking citizens to not bring in any handguns also states that compliance is *voluntary*. Under state law the police cannot ban lawfully carried handguns from their buildings.

Steve started the ball rolling 3 months ago on his own and has done most of the heavy-lifting. He tirelessly wrote letters, had meeting with the police, talked to city council members and the Mayor, and carefully document everything. This victory once again shows the raw power of grass-roots activism, knowing your stuff, and sheer determination.

Steve kept me apprised of the situation as he continued his fight. I contacted Delegate Welch's office in Virginia Beach to get additional assistance for Steve. Robert Rummels, Delegate Welch's aide, was very helpful in this matter and did a conference call between himself, a city council member, and myself. VCDL Executive member John Fenter also jumped in to work the issue, retracing some of Steve's steps by having a meeting with the police leadership.

Steve wanted time to work the system behind the scenes and VCDL agreed, keeping the issue low on the radar scope. (Eventually we would have asked our members to start contacting city council and to attend city council meetings if these issues were not resolved.)

The police leadership confirmed to John Fenter that they are NOT requiring that a person lawfully carrying a handgun leave that gun in their car. Some VCDL members have said they will test that statement over time as they go to the police station to conduct business. If you experience any problems, be sure and let us know.

This is a big win in more than one way. I think that Richmond wants to get rid of its own firearms licensing / waiting period ordinance. This move by Virginia Beach may make that easier to do now. We also want to get Norfolk to drop their ordinance. Sorry, you Tidewater members are probably not off the hook yet - we will probably have to head down to Norfolk city council to ask them to do so.

Great work - thank you Steve, John, and Robert/Delegate Welch!