Amid the headlines about the government shutdown, you may not have heard that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. While all domestic violence is unacceptable, it is far likely to be more lethal when a gun is involved.

Nine women are shot to death every single week by their husband or intimate partner. Men use guns to kill their intimate partners more than all other methods combined. Where are the headlines about that? Where is the outrage that our current laws allow a domestic abuser to easily (and often legally) access a firearm?

Our elected officials could enact laws that would help keep guns out of dangerous hands—starting with expanded background checks. Both the Manchin-Toomey bill in the Senate and the King-Thompson bill in the House would close loopholes and require background checks on most private gun sales.

Why does Congress lack the will to pass this common-sense reform supported by 90 percent of Americans? As a member of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, I have joined with over 100,000 mothers across the country to fight for laws to keep guns away from dangerous people, including domestic abusers. I urge you to join us. Contact your members of Congress today. Do it on behalf of the nine women we lose every week to domestic gun violence.

Eva Coffman