karatedad,karatedad wrote:My 13 yr old son has asked to start shooting. Can anyone recommend someone who enjoys teaching handgun skills to kids? We would like to start with basic safety and skills and work up from there depending on his interest level. We are in the League City area but will travel into Houston if necessary. Thanks.
From my own personal experience...the best person to teach that is 'Dad' (or 'Mom', if such is the circumstance). I taught my daughter to shoot a rifle at age 4. Now, at the ripe old age of 7, some of the best times that she and I have together are at the shooting range. This is a great bonding time for both of us.
It's like when I taught her to ride a bike. We have friends who own a bike store. They have a guy they call the 'bike whisperer', who (they say) can get a kid from sitting on his first bike to riding it within an hour. That sounds like a good idea - get it done quickly and professionally. But I really wanted to be the guy who taught her. It took a few weekends, lots of running around behind, holding the seat, and a little flaring up of my old back injury, but it was so worth it when she finally did it on her own. She still remembers that her dad taught her to ride, to shoot, to rock climb, etc...
(The following is meant to be read as constructive and positive, not to disparage your skills.)
Now then again, if you don't feel sufficiently comfortable enough with your own skills at handgun shooting, safety training, etc. that you want to be his primary instructor, then I do respect your choice to bring in someone else to do so for you. Given that you're in League City, I'd recommend going to one of the better ranges in the area (e.g. Arms Room) and ask if they have instructors who teach kids. Kids learn a lot different from adults, so I do recommend finding someone with that experience.