Clairton residents will face fines and jail time if they do not report lost and stolen handguns under a new ordinance.

Council unanimously voted last night to adopt an ordinance to require notification to authorities of lost or stolen handguns. It imposes penalties -- as much as $1,000 per violation and as long as 90 days in jail -- if individuals don't report a handgun lost or stolen within 72 hours of their disappearance.

State Rep. David K. Levdansky, D-Forward, told council the ordinance "sends a signal to both the public and to the general assembly that we need to get serious about the proliferation of handgun violence in our communities."

Mr. Levdansky said Clairton will be the 11th local municipality to adopt the ordinance. It becomes effective immediately.

Councilman Lamont Lewis voted yes for the ordinance "under protest," arguing that it has no provision for elderly individuals who may not keep track of their handguns.

"How can you cite someone that doesn't know something is missing from their home?" Mr. Lewis asked.

Mr. Levdansky argued that council should not make excuses for irresponsible gun ownership.

"If you have a gun," Mr. Levdansky said, "you should know where it is all the time."

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