Soteria Training Solutions (StS Armory)

• •Soteria means deliverance, preservation, safety, and salvation—and that philosophy drives everything Jesse and Katie Johnson teach. What started as a personal journey turned into a firearms training company that treats every student as an individual learner, not just another enrollment.

• •Jesse Johnson is an NRA certified instructor and Range Safety Officer with over 5 years of teaching experience. He grew up around firearms, received proper safety and handling instruction from his parents, and has completed multiple tactical classes in both rifle and handgun. His primary certifications are NRA Basic Pistol and Illinois Concealed Carry.

• •Katie Johnson earned her NRA instructor certification in May 2013 and holds Range Safety Officer credentials. She brings tactical pistol and hands-on self-defense training experience into every class. Katie also serves as Chapter Leader for the Metro East chapter of the Well Armed Woman, a ladies-only shooting group that meets monthly at local ranges.

• •NRA Basic Pistol – Foundation safety and marksmanship
• •Illinois Concealed Carry – State certification course
• •Women's Defensive Pistol Classes – Tactical training focused on real-world scenarios
• •Open Classes – General enrollment
• •Group Classes – Small group instruction
• •Women-Only Classes – Through Well Armed Woman chapters

Soteria Training Solutions operates from a facility that was formerly the Furniture Galore and More building. Jesse and Katie signed the lease on October 1, 2015, and opened the doors as StS Armory on November 16, 2015. The business includes a gun shop with classroom space—designed specifically to teach concealed carry classes and help customers select appropriate firearms for their needs.

Beyond instruction, the business functions as a firearms dealer, meaning they combine retail sales with professional training under one roof.

Jesse and Katie see firearms instruction as more than business—it's ministry. In their own words: *"We have the opportunity to use this business as an avenue to share our story and to teach people how to safely use guns. We get to help them pick the right gun for them and every once in a while God gives us the opportunity to witness to people."

They're believers who view responsible gun ownership through the lens of safety, legality, and personal protection. That foundation shapes how they teach.

One of the key reasons couples and women come to Soteria: Jesse and Katie understand that not everyone learns the same way or feels comfortable in large group settings. Whether you're a complete beginner nervous about your first class, a woman-only shooter, or someone needing one-on-one attention with tactical applications—they have a format that works.

The Well Armed Woman partnership also means Katie connects you with a community of female shooters who meet regularly—so training doesn't have to end after class.

Location: St. Louis area, Missouri (Furniture Galore and More building location) Contact: Through their website for scheduling