MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Local lawmakers are concerned for their safety after a Minnesota lawmaker was gunned down at her house, and an alleged trespasser was seen at Mayor Paul Young’s home on Sunday.

Melissa Hortman, a Minnesota lawmaker, was gunned down at her house on Saturday, and here in Memphis, police are saying they are evaluating security measures after an alleged trespasser was seen at Mayor Paul Young’s home on Sunday.

“I think it’s horrible. I think that anytime you offer to serve the people and you’re elected, it shouldn’t cost you your life,” said Antonio Parkinson (D-Memphis).

“But it is alarming that someone would pick on a select group of people who are doing nothing more than trying to represent their community; that is something we’ve got to get past,” said Mark White (R-Memphis).

“We don’t answer our door unless someone knocks on our door and we verify who it is, if it’s a friend or someone who’s a stranger, and if I’m not in the house, I always tell my wife they can come back if it’s that important,” said White.

Parkinson, who has received death threats in the past, said he began drafting legislation this morning to help protect local lawmakers as he wants to increase the penalty to a Class A Felony for anyone committing aggravated assault on elected officials in Tennessee.

“Anytime we draft these laws, it’s after the fact, it’s after someone is being harmed, after a life has been taken, so it won’t prevent an individual from committing these acts of violence but it will possibly put them away if they are found guilty of committing these acts of violence against an elected official,” said Parkinson.

Parkinson said he would also be open to the same security treatments other state lawmakers are given.

“Aside from the Speaker of the House, Speaker of the Senate, and the governor, they all have security, but the rank and file members of the House and Senate. They’re not provided with security, and this is a good time for us to have that conversation,” said Parkinson.

MPD is also still investigating the trespasser on Mayor Paul Young’s East Memphis home on Sunday.