Minnesota's Premier Firearms Training Center

 This classroom-based course is designed for individuals seeking a comprehensive introduction to handguns without live-fire training. Through engaging lectures and interactive discussions, students will gain a strong foundation in handgun safety, operation, and responsible ownership. 

 By the end of the course, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to safely handle and understand handguns in various contexts, including personal defense, recreational shooting, or general awareness. 

 This classroom-based course is designed for individuals who want to learn the fundamentals of rifles without the need for live-fire experience. Through engaging lectures and discussions, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of rifle safety, operation, and design, as well as the responsibilities of rifle ownership. 

 Whether you're interested in hunting, sport shooting, or general firearm education, this course provides the foundational knowledge and confidence to safely handle and understand rifles in a variety of settings. 

 Proper maintenance is essential for the performance, reliability, and longevity of your firearm. Our Firearms Breakdown & Cleaning course provides hands-on instruction in safely disassembling, cleaning, and reassembling your firearm to keep it in top condition. 

Who Should Attend?

• Firearm owners looking to enhance their knowledge of proper maintenance.
• Permit to Carry holders who want to ensure their firearm remains reliable.
• New gun owners needing guidance on cleaning and care.
• Anyone interested in learning how to keep their firearm in peak condition.

 Our Minnesota Permit to Carry course provides the state-mandated training required to apply for or renew your permit to carry a firearm in Minnesota. As a licensed training provider approved by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), we deliver law-compliant, practical instruction that prepares you to carry confidently and responsibly. 

 Take your shooting skills to the next level with our Intermediate Pistol Training course. Designed for individuals with basic handgun experience, this course blends focused classroom instruction with dynamic, hands-on live-fire drills. Participants will build greater confidence, accuracy, and responsiveness in defensive shooting scenarios. 

 This course emphasizes practical, real-world skills to help you respond effectively under pressure. 

 Enhance your rifle handling, accuracy, and confidence with our Intermediate AR-15 Training course. Designed for shooters who have basic experience with the AR-15 platform, this course combines focused classroom instruction with live-fire range drills that simulate real-world defensive scenarios. 

 This hands-on course builds speed, accuracy, and decision-making under pressure—all in a safe, structured, and professional environment.

 Master Tactical Firearms Skills for Real-World Defense

Push your skills to the highest level with our Advanced Firearm Training course—an immersive, high-intensity program designed for experienced shooters. This course blends tactical classroom instruction with dynamic live-fire scenarios to sharpen your response under stress, improve decision-making, and elevate your ability to operate effectively in real-world defensive encounters.

Who Should Attend?

• Experienced shooters ready to go beyond the basics.
• Law enforcement, security professionals and Permit to Carry holders seeking real-world defensive readiness.
• Anyone committed to mastering tactical handguns for personal or professional defense.

This course is fast-paced, demanding, and highly rewarding—designed to push your limits and prepare you for the unexpected.

Train hard. Think fast. React smart. Enroll now and rise to an elite level of firearm proficiency.

 Build the Skills/Knowledge to Respond Effectively in a Crisis

Equip yourself with the essential skills, strategies, and mindset needed to react/respond to an active shooter or active threat situation. Phase 1 of this dynamic course focuses on Statistics/Case Studies, Situational awareness, decision-making, and Survival in high-stress environments. Through a combination of classroom instruction, and hands-on training you’ll develop a strong foundation for handling violent threats with confidence and control.

Who Should Attend?

• Civilians, permit holders, and professionals seeking active threat preparedness.
• Business owners, educators, and security personnel looking to enhance crisis response capabilities. 

This introductory phase provides the knowledge and skills needed to understand, react, and survive confidently in an active threat scenario. 

Advanced Tactical Response for High-Threat Situations

Phase 2 takes your active threat response skills to the next level with advanced movement, team tactics, and high-intensity scenario training. Expanding on the fundamentals from Phase 1, this course introduces complex, real-world scenarios that demand critical thinking, rapid decision-making, and tactical execution. Participants will engage in force-on-force simulations and high-stress drills, putting their skills into practical application in realistic environments—often at their place of employment or designated training location.

Who Should Attend?

• Armed professionals, security teams, and first responders seeking advanced tactics.
• Individuals looking for high-intensity, real-world training to prepare for violent encounters.
• Business owners, church security teams, and specialized security units requiring customized on-site training.

This intensive, scenario-driven course pushes your skills to the highest level of readiness. Train like your life depends on it—because it does.  

Practical Self-Defense. 

Our Defensive Tactics Training course is a hands-on program designed to teach individuals how to protect themselves and others in high-stress, real-world encounters. Whether you're in law enforcement, private security, or a civilian seeking effective self-defense skills, this course will equip you with the knowledge, techniques, and mindset needed to react with control, confidence, and legal awareness.

Who Should Attend?

• Law enforcement officers and recruits
• Armed and unarmed security professionals
• Permit to carry holders and civilian defenders
• Anyone seeking to improve their personal safety and confidence

This course bridges the gap between theory and action—helping you build real-world defensive capabilities that work under pressure.

Train with purpose. 

Defend with confidence.

Be Ready. Take Action. Save Lives.

In moments of crisis, hesitation can cost lives — but decisive action can save them. True preparedness means more than just knowledge; it’s about being ready to respond when it matters most. Our training equips you not only with the skills, but the confidence to act. Because when the time comes, you won’t just be there — you’ll be ready to make a difference. 

Available now:

• Heart Saver CPR
• Basic Life Support
• Stop The Bleed

We offer flexible options for medical training courses to meet your needs:

• On-site Training: We can conduct courses at your business location within the Twin Cities Metro area.
• In-House Training: Courses are also available at our training room located at the Best Defense facility in Forest Lake.

Empowering All Ages 

Best Defense & Proactive Training Academy have teamed up to expand our course offerings and better serve our community. We believe that safe skills start early — and we're proud to provide comprehensive youth training programs, all under one roof.

As a younger learner, our hands-on approach ensures that what you learn here can be applied confidently at home, in the field, or wherever life takes you.

This comprehensive course is designed to educate youth on the fundamentals of firearm safety, responsibility, and proper handling. Tailored for juveniles aged 10-17, the class emphasizes the importance of respect for firearms, understanding firearm function, and making safe decisions at home, in the field, and in social settings. 

The course is taught by certified instructors and follows all state and local safety regulations. While this class *does not include live-fire training, it serves as a vital foundation for future firearms education and responsible citizenship.