Can't agree more on parent involvement with schooling. I think teachers get a bad rap... it's hard to get a student to improve without support from a parent.
As far as guns, I don't really have a problem with the type of gun someone has. But I don't really see the need for assault guns (military type). I assume it's a form/function admiration of it's abilities that people like (they're badass)... or they're preppers. I don't see the problem with universal backround checks. Big brother has a lot more critical info on a person then what type guns they own. In California, you can own an assault type weapon, but it's registered so the police know if they come up on a domestic dispute at a home with that type weapon they can take extra precautions (and I'm ok with that).