Stephannie Weidner

Chief Executive Officer

Stephannie has been involved at Active Self Protection in many different capacities since 2014, currently serving as the CEO and Executive Officer (XO) and John’s general “right-hand man.” Because she is a follower of Jesus, she is passionate in her belief that innocent life has vast intrinsic value and is worthy of being fiercely defended. She enjoys having the opportunity to teach some of the skills necessary to that task around the country. She is particularly interested in defending vulnerable populations and issues important to women.

Stephannie’s greatest joy is her family. She has been married to her husband and best friend, Neil, for 26 years. Together they have 5 grown and nearly grown children and two adorable grandchildren. She does enjoy guns and shooting, but these little ones are a few of her favorite things.


Certifications and Qualifications:

  • Senior Active Self Protection Staff Instructor and one of only a handful of people able to teach ASP-branded classes
  • Certified Force Science Analyst
  • Rangemaster Advanced Certified Pistol Instructor
  • Massad Ayoob Group certified Deadly Force Instructor
  • Verified Graduate of the Law of Self Defense Instructor Program
  • Force Science Institute Realistic De-Escalation Instructor
  • Certified Use of Force Instructor, State of South Dakota
  • NRA Certified Pistol Instructor
  • NRA Certified RTBAV Instructor
  • NRA Certified Range Safety Officer
  • Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events, Train the Trainer
  • Instructor at National A Girl and A Gun Conference, 2020
  • Speaker/Presenter at the USCCA Concealed Carry Expo, Pittsburgh, PA 2019
  • Speaker/Presenter at The Well Armed Woman Illinois State Shoot, 2019
  • Speaker/Instructor at The Active Self Protection National Conference, Manhattan, KS 2019
  • Coordinator/Speaker/Instructor at the Active Self Protection National Conference 2019/2020
Notable Classes Taken:

  • Force Science Analyst from The Force Science Institute
  • Pistol Shooting Solutions, Gabe White
  • Mag 40 and Deadly Force Instructor, Massad Ayoob
  • The Complete Combatant, The Mingle Range Days, Brian & Shelley Hill
  • Technical Handgun, Test and Standards, John Johnston
  • The Armed Parent/Guardian, Melody Lauer & John Johnston
  • Unthinkable, Dr. William Aprill
  • Private Lessons, John Correia, Scott Jedlinkski, Brian Hill, others