In a press conference Wednesday afternoon, the mayors of several Twin Cities communities called for gun reform.

"We're asking for a ban on high-capacity magazines," said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.

It was a request for action from Frey and eight other surrounding city leaders.

"You shouldn't have the ability to reel off 30 shots before you need to reload," Frey said.

According to Minneapolis police, 116 casings from a semi-automatic rifle were collected at the scene of Annunciation Catholic Church. Investigators say the shots were fired in a matter of minutes, and that's leading to calls for change.

It's a push that's already been enacted by 14 other states and Washington, D.C.

"Anytime you're trying to enact firearm legislation, it's going to be an uphill battle," said Dr. James Densley, co-founder of Hamline University's Violence Prevention Project. 

Densley says his studies of mass shootings for the last decade show clear evidence.

"The data are actually pretty clear about this. High-capacity magazines, when they're used, more people die and more people are injured," he said.

But gun rights activists say the equipment isn't the issue.

"The magazine capacity is irrelevant when you can carry as many firearms or as many magazines, you know, as you would like to, and it takes less than two seconds to swap them out," said Robert Doar, of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus.

Densley says a high-profile event like last week could lead to more support for reform, but Minnesota is in the middle when it comes to firearms.

"It really comes down to how much motivation and how much momentum there is after a tragedy," Densley said.

But in theory, questions upon questions remain.

"What happens with the ones already in existence? There's tens of thousands in lawful hands in Minnesota," Doar said.

"Unless there is legislation at the federal level, you're still going to have the ability of people to cross borders," Densley said.

Gov. Tim Walz says he intends to call a special session on guns.