Mayor Peduto increases security after death threat over gun control laws

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto has increased security after a death threat, he said Monday.

The threat was made on social media over gun control laws, according to Peduto.

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The Pittsburgh City Council passed legislation that makes it illegal to use assault-style weapons in the city.

Despite the threat, Peduto said he won’t back down.

"You stand for what you believe in, because when I'm done being the mayor, I'm not going to look back with any regret on the things that I did, that I believe in. But I will look back if I didn't actually do something when I thought I could actually make a difference," he said.

Peduto also told Channel 11's Rick Earle he believes starting at the local level is the first step toward national change.

"If we do this in city after city, we will make the water warmer to make the big changes that are needed," he said.

Breaking: Pgh Mayor Bill Peduto says he now has increased security after recent death threat on social media over gun control laws. But says he won’t back down. #wpxi
— Rick Earle (@WPXIRickEarle) August 5, 2019