State Rep. David Levdansky worries about an all-too-familiar and sometimes lethal scenario:

People who pass criminal background checks buy handguns for criminals -- who are legally prohibited from possessing them -- in what is called a "straw buy."

When police trace the handgun back to the original purchaser, the person claims it was a lost or stolen, and the investigation stalls.

"This ordinance is designed to take the alibi away from the straw purchaser," said Mr. Levdansky, D-Forward, on his efforts to get local governments to adopt legislation requiring notification of lost or stolen firearms within a set time frame. The legislation he wants would have fines and/or imprisonment for violators.

Locally, Homestead, West Homestead, Munhall, and Clairton are among 14 communities statewide that recently adopted variations of the ordinance. Others include Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Erie.

In Braddock Tuesday night, council adopted its version -- pending signature by the mayor -- which requires reporting within 72 hours after the discovery of the loss or theft.

Violators may be fined up to $1,000 or face imprisonment up to 90 days, or both.

The same restriction and penalty was adopted by Clairton on Oct. 13.

"I like the ordinance in that if it happens multiple times you become suspicious of the purchaser," said Clairton Councilman Richard Ford.

"You see too many crimes with guns in Clairton and elsewhere. Gun violence is all you hear on the news," he said.

Prior to the vote in Clairton, Mr. Levandsky argued before council in favor of responsible gun ownership.

He also said adoption of the ordinance "sends a signal to both the public and to the [state] General Assembly that we need to get serious about the proliferation of handgun violence in our communities."

In April 2008, his effort, with others, to adopt a statewide ordinance did not pass the House of Representatives. Legislators intend to bring up the issue for a vote again next year.

Mr. Levdansky is hoping the passage of local a lost/stolen handguns ordinance in various communities will convince lawmakers this is what the people want.

"I own guns for hunting and self-defense. I believe in the Second Amendment. But we have a proliferation of handguns in our communities through straw purchasers. That's the issue we are targeting," Mr. Levdansky said.

"We are on the same team with him," said Mary Beth Hacke, of West Mifflin, a board member of CeaseFirePA, a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing gun violence through advocacy and education in the communities.

"By this ordinance passing in communities it will make it easier for passage some day in Harrisburg. 'You're not hearing the voice of your own constituents,' will be the message to legislators," she said.

As is Mr. Levdansky, CeaseFirePA meets with council presidents and will appear before council on the issue.

In January 1997, Mrs. Hacke lost her 14-month-old son, Ryan, to gun violence. He was buckled in his car seat at a Homestead gas station when he was killed in a crossfire of bullets.

"Anyone should be able to get gas and come home with all their children," she said.

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