Republicans Ask Missouri Governor to Arm National Guard

Republican lawmakers and gubernatorial hopefuls are calling on Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon to arm the National Guard after the recent attack on two Tennessee military facilities.

GOP leaders and those eyeing the governorship have publicly asked the Democratic governor to act.

A Nixon spokesman was not immediately available to comment Monday.

A gunman attacked a recruiting center and a Marine-Navy reserve facility in Chattanooga last week. Four Marines and one Navy sailor were killed.

The governors of Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Arkansas, Indiana and Oklahoma have since ordered guardsmen to be armed.

A number of Missouri's GOP senators and others want Nixon to take similar action. Republican Sen. Dan Brown and GOP gubernatorial candidates Sen. Mike Parson and Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder also want Nixon to order flags at half-staff.