MEMPHIS, Tenn. — District Attorney Steve Mulroy, Mayor Paul Young and Memphis Police Chief C.J. Davis are seeking to increase the penalties for carrying guns with switches that make them automatic.

Thursday morning, the officials held a press conference addressing public safety in Shelby County.

As of now, carrying a gun with a switch or extended magazine is a Class E Felony under state law, which is the lowest type. This means that someone with no criminal history could face one to two years for the crime.

Mulroy is pleading for it to be increased to a Class C Felony.

An ATF agent who spoke to WREG recently said these switches can make a handgun fire as fast as 1,000 rounds per minute.

“No one needs to have a machine gun for self-defense. If you own one, you’re up to no good,” he said.

Someone without a record would then be looking at three to six years as a penalty; someone with a history would possible serve six to 10 years.

C.J. Davis agreed, saying that her team is working toward protecting citizens until the potential change is made.

“We are looking at increasing the caliber of weapons that our officers have access to. It’s unfortunate. We can’t be outmanned and outgunned,” she said.

When speaking about young people carrying the automatic weapons, Mayor Young added, “It’s heartbreaking and unacceptable. If they do [have them,] we are looking to make sure that the penalty matches the crime.”

This comes weeks after an MPD officer was shot and killed while on duty in southwest Memphis. DA Mulroy confirmed to WREG that a Glock switch was used in the shooting, although it is believed that the officer may have been killed by “friendly fire,” records state.

The officials also referenced the mass shooting that took place at an unsanctioned block party in Orange Mound. Two people were killed and seven others were injured– most were teens and young adults.