Republicans ask Missouri governor to arm National Guard


              FILE - In this Jan. 9, 2012 file photo, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon speaks at a storage systems manufacturer in Hopkins, Mo. Nixon vetoed a measure Thursday, June 4, 2015 that would have made Missouri the 26th right-to-work state, and it's unclear whether proponents will be able to muster enough support in the Republican-led Legislature to override the veto. (Todd Weddle/The News-Press via AP, File)
FILE - In this Jan. 9, 2012 file photo, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon speaks at a storage systems manufacturer in Hopkins, Mo. Nixon vetoed a measure Thursday, June 4, 2015 that would have made Missouri the 26th right-to-work state, and it's unclear whether proponents will be able to muster enough support in the Republican-led Legislature to override the veto. (Todd Weddle/The News-Press via AP, File)

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - 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.

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