Lambda Defensive
Firearms Training, LLC
Lambda Defensive Firearms Training provides a wide variety of firearms training classes. Whether you are a novice or experienced shooter, we can meet your training needs in a professional, safe, and fun environment.We tailor our classes based on the skill and experience levels of our students. We focus on content understanding over speed so our students come away with an informative and enjoyable experience.
Class Offerings
MN/FL Permit to Carry
Minnesota / Florida Permit to Carry Class
Minnesota Permit to Carry Class is an intermediate to advanced class where students must be 21 and have previous experience with safe handling and shooting a handgun. Successful completion of the class will allow for MN residents to apply for the Minnesota Permit to Carry a Pistol. The class also meets the requirements for non-resident Florida Concealed Weapon License if desired. This course includes a live fire shooting qualification.
What you will learn in Minnesota Permit to Carry a Pistol:
- Essential gun safety rules
- Basic fundamentals of handgun use: loading, unloading, clearing malfunctions, safe storage.
- Children and firearms and developing a family safety plan
- Shooting fundamentals: stances, grip, sight alignment
- Aspects of carrying a handgun: holsters, open vs concealed, maintaining control of your firearm
- Situational awareness, de-escalation and avoiding conflict, encounters with law enforcement
- Legal aspects of pistol possession, carry, use, self defense, castle doctrine, and restrictions on the use of deadly force
- What to do in the aftermath of an incident
- Instructions on application submittals and process
You do not need your own handgun to complete this course. Handguns and needed ammunition can be rented from the instructor for a small fee.
$125 - Class fee includes classroom materials and targets.
Handgun Shooting
Elemental Handgun Shooting
Elemental Handgun Shooting is a Lambda designed course that is built for those who are starting from little or zero knowledge, and desire both basic handgun knowledge and hands-on training in the classroom and on the pistol range. The live fire portion of the training includes real time coaching on safe handling, proper stance and grip, and marksmanship. The class is shorter in duration than our other handgun offerings, but spends comparatively more time on the range putting newly acquired knowledge to use right away. If you are completely new to handguns and are looking for an introductory class before taking a more detailed or a carry class, Elemental Handgun Shooting is a great option for you.
What you will learn in Elemental Handgun Shooting:
- Essential gun safely rules
- Types of handguns, operation, and correcting malfunctions
- How to select a handgun for purchase
- Ammunition basics
- Proper positions, grip, sighting
You do not need your own handgun to complete this course. Handguns and needed ammunition can be rented from the instructor for a small fee.
$100 - Class fee includes classroom materials and targets
Clay Target Shooting
Elemental Clay Target Shooting
Elemental Clay Target Shooting is a Lambda designed course that is put together for those who are starting from little or zero knowledge, desire some basic shotgun knowledge and some hands on training both in the classroom and on the range. The class includes a full round of American style trap shooting so participants can put their new knowledge into immediate practice. The live fire portion of the training also includes real time coaching on the line. If you have a middle or high school aged student who is interested in joining their school’s clay target team, this is a great class for parents to get some baseline knowledge and experience.
Note: this class does NOT replace MN DNR training required for students to participate in the Minnesota Clay Target League.
What you will learn in Elemental Clay Target Shotgun:
- Essential gun safety rules
- Shotgun anatomy, types, operation, and clearing malfunctions
- Basics of ammunition, safe storage and transportation
- Considerations for purchasing a shotgun
- Shooting fundamentals and clay target games
You do not need your own shotgun to complete this course. Shotguns can be rented from the instructor for a small fee.
Contact instructor for fees and schedule.
NRA Basic Pistol
NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting
NRA Basic Pistol is a good way to learn the basics of pistol shooting if you are completely new to handguns or have some very limited knowledge, and are looking for a comprehensive class that includes a certificate of completion. The class is basic but detailed and we spend the necessary time needed for all participants to come way informed and proficient in the class content. The class does have a live fire exercise, but ownership of a handgun is not required to take the class. NRA Basic Pistol Shooting can fulfill class requirements for residents of some states besides MN for licenses to conceal/carry a firearm. Contact the instructor for details.
What you will learn in NRA Basic Pistol Shooting:
- Essential gun safety rules
- Different types of pistols and which one is best for you
- Basics of ammunition
- Fundamentals of pistol shooting
- Pistol shooting positions
- Common shooting errors
- Proper gun cleaning and maintenance
- How to maintain your skills
$120 - Class fees include course content, targets, classroom materials, and NRA certificate upon successful completion.
NRA Basic Shotgun
NRA Basics of Shotgun Shooting
NRA Basic Shotgun is a great way to learn about shotgun shooting if you have never been hunting or broken clay targets before. The course is designed with beginners in mind and like other NRA based classes and is content and comprehension based, so we spend the time needed to make sure all students get the training they need. The class is basic, but very detailed. The class does have a live fire exercise, but ownership of a shotgun is not required to take the class.
Note: NRA Basic Shotgun Shooting does not replace requirements for youth high school shooting sports, e.g. MN DNR Firearms Safety.
What you will learn in NRA Basic Shotgun Shooting:
- Essential gun safety rules
- Shotgun types, parts and operation
- Ammunition components
- Clearing malfunctions
- Shooting fundamentals including different angles
- Basic cleaning and care
- Opportunities for improving skills
Contact the instructor for fees and schedule.
NRA RSO
NRA Range Safety Officer
NRA Range Safety Officer training is a nationally recognized program that will give you the necessary knowledge for organizing, conducting and supervising safe shooting activities and range operations.
What you will learn in NRA Range Safety Officer Training:
- Ensuring a range is safe to use
- Conducting range safety briefings for shooters
- Handing ammunition and gun malfunctions safely
- Supervising safety aspects of shooting activities
- Handling emergency procedures as established by the range management
There is no live fire component in this class.
Contact the instructor for fees and schedule.
Private Instruction
Private Instruction
Every shooter is at a different point in their experience level and skill. Some of our customers prefer a one on one experience instead of a classroom setting. Regardless the reason, private instruction can help deepen your knowledge, experience, skill and comfort level so that you can enhance you experience shooting at the range or out in the field. We work with individuals or with small groups to design an experience to focus on the specific desires of our customers. Most of our engagements will include classroom instruction and live shooting on the range.
Contact us directly so we can custom design an experience that will exceed your expectations!
Class Schedule
Contact us to register for an upcoming class:
11/22, 9am-3pm: MN/FL Permit to Carry - 8 Seats Remaining



Registration, Fees, Cancelations
Registration fees reserve a seat in a class and are required 2 weeks prior to the class date. Fees are non-refundable. In the event of a student cancelation, a class may be rescheduled up to 6 months after initial booking with no additional charge if the class is offered again during that time period. Fees may be paid via check or via Venmo. If you intend to pay via Venmo, contact the instructor to coordinate. Venmo transactions will include an additional 1.9% surcharge. Fees for rental of instructor owned firearms and use of instructor ammunition for live fire exercises vary by class and are cash or check only the day of the class.
Resources

Contact Us
Whether you're looking to get added to our mailing list, want to register for an upcoming class, or just have general questions, use the link below to drop us an email!

Blog
Check out our blog where we chat about various relevant firearms topics. If there is something you'd like us to write about, let us know!

Join the NRA
Lambda Defensive Firearms Training is affiliated with the NRA. Click the link below to learn more about NRA member benefits and special discounts we can offer you. You don't even have to register for a class!
About Us
We tailor our approach to each and every class offering to the skill and experience levels of our students. Our training philosophy is focused on content and understanding in a safe and fun environment.

I am the Owner and Chief Instructor at Lambda Defensive Firearms Training, LLC. I am a certified NRA Instructor, a certified NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, a Minnesota DNR Firearms Safety Instructor, a Member at the Oakdale Gun Club, a Member of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, and an Assistant Coach for the East Ridge High School Shooting Sports Team. Lambda Defensive Firearms Training, LLC is a recognized training organization with the MN Department of Public Safety, teaching required classes for the Minnesota Permit to Carry a Pistol.
I look forward to meeting you and helping you with your firearms training needs. No matter what level of previous experience you have, Lambda Defensive Firearms Training, LLC can help you gain the knowledge and experience you need.
Lambda Defensive Firearms Training, LLC
