Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly bring attention to the links between domestic violence, gun violence and background checks. Kelly explains in the latest email from Americans for Responsible Solutions:

It took me five minutes to pass a background check earlier this year, but its far too easy for perpetrators of domestic violence to bypass that process by going online or visiting a gun show.

Now that Congress has voted to end the government shutdown, we hope they will get to work closing many of the loopholes in federal law that allow domestic violence offenders and stalkers the ability to possess firearms.

Locally, Tucson City Councilman Steve Kozachik is hosting a meeting with Moms Demand Action to highlight the dangers that battered women face when abusers have firearms. Kozachik notes that in Arizona, more than 60 percent of all domestic violence-related homicides were committed with a firearm.

"This is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and in respect of the women who have suffered, and in some cases died as a result of that crime, we're holding this event to draw attention to the still unfinished business of fixing the NIC system and making sure background checks are done on every gun purchase that takes place in the marketplace, nationwide," Kozachik tells The Range via email. "We took the lead on this at the mayor and council level, and we're still waiting to see some leadership from our state and federal legislators. It's pretty simple. If you've got a DV conviction, a person selling you a gun should have access to that information before selling you a weapon."

The Moms Demand Action event is 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Ward 6 office, 3202 E. First St.