Republicans ask Missouri governor to arm National Guard

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- 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 publicly have asked the Democratic governor to act. A Nixon spokesman was not available to comment Monday.

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

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

Republican Sen. Dan Brown and GOP gubernatorial candidates Sen. Mike Parson and Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder also want Nixon to order flags to half-staff.