A division of Rochester Personal Defense
At LionsPride Training Group, we cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters – real training. No flashy gimmicks, just practical skills that prepare you for the unexpected.
Our team of certified and professional instructors are passionate about teaching and have a wealth of knowledge to share.
We provide realistic self defense training to the community at competitive prices.
We offer advanced shooting courses in addition to beginner level courses.
Founder And Primary Instructor
You’re safe until you’re not. I have always believed that in one form or another. What does that mean? People's comfort exists because of many factors.
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Senior Instructor / Training Coordinator
I was introduced to the world of shooting at a young age. At 8 years old he took me with him to the local shooting club and taught me firearms safety,
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Instructor
I participated in NRA 3-position rifle matches in high school . I had a bit more time to reflect on getting back into the sport and expanding into pistol craft.
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Instructor
I grew up shooting BB guns. It was not until my late teens that I handled my first real firearms. My uncle took me shooting for the first time;
View profileOur expert instructors have years of experience and have taught thousands of individuals including civilians and law enforcement. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced shooter, our classes are designed to help you improve your skills and feel confident in your ability to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Select a topic below to see the list of courses we offer
In order to apply for your NY State Pistol License, you must complete this 18-hour course, also known as the NYS CCW course or Pre-License course...
As a gun owner, it's essential to be responsible and safe with your firearm. If you own a handgun for protection, understanding how to use it safely is crucial...
We have put together some courses that are specifically designed for ladies. These ladies-only courses will empower women and make them confident...
We focus on providing an informative, fun, and safe way to learn not only the basics of shooting but advanced training as well. We ensure...
The Multi State Carry Permit course is what you need to attend if you wish to carry concealed in as many states as possible! Get BOTH is one sitting!
Posted on Lee Minich21. December, 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This class was extremely educational and I’m So glad I took it. Mike (the instructor) did a great job of balancing making interesting/light hearted while conveying a lot of critical information. The hands on training and live fire was exceptional. I’d highly recommend and I will likely take addition courses with RPD!Posted on Jairon Ingram17. December, 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dave helped me improve my accuracy and overall knowledge about guns. 10/10 recommendationPosted on Austin Turner14. December, 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. What an experience! The instructors are very knowledgeable, and friendly. The learning material is not boring, and very informative.Posted on Bill K10. December, 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great class to attend. Very informative and helpful. Mike was a great instructor and helped make the class very enjoyable. Highly recommend using Rochester Personal Defense!!!Posted on lisa stetson8. December, 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My husband and I recently completed the 18-Hour Concealed Carry Training Course and wanted to share how exceptional our instructor, Dana Gridley, was. He is incredibly knowledgeable about all aspects of the course material, and his patience was truly appreciated—especially for us older folks who haven’t been on a range in many years and aren’t current gun owners. We inherited a few handguns from my mom and stepdad, who passed earlier this year, so this course was especially important to us. We learned so much, and the instruction provided a well-rounded understanding of gun ownership, safety, the laws, and even details we hadn’t considered before, like choosing the right holster and the best positioning. The videos were impactful, especially with the discussions that followed. The hands-on gun-handling practice was extremely beneficial given our situation, and we really enjoyed the laser exercises prior to shooting on the range. The progression of the course was perfect—each step building smoothly on the last. Thank you, Dana, for being such a fantastic instructor. You rock!!Posted on Nancy Calkins8. December, 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Recently took the 18 hour conceal carry class in Steuben County with the most amazing instructor, Dana Gridley. Would 10 out of 10 recommend this class. Dana was extremely informative and ensured we were all completely comfortable handling the fire arms! Thanks Dana!!Posted on Troy Rickwalt8. December, 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This was an awesome course, informative, relaxed yet covered many topics, plenty of Questions and answer time and individual attention if you requested it, instructors went out of their way to make everyone feel at ease if they were nervous about something, all around very well done I would recommend anyone who needs or wants to take the mandatory 18 hour New York State training to apply for a handgun permit to take this coursePosted on Luca Scollo4. December, 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great instructors (shoutout to Mike) and good educational materialPosted on John Mueller4. December, 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The course and the instructors were excellent. The course was very thorough and the instructors very knowledgeable and insightful. They took their time to make sure that any and all questions were answered fully. I would absolutely recommend Rochester Personal Defense course to anyone having any hesitations.Posted on Scott Bennett1. December, 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had a great time and would sit through it again without a problem.