Our Team:
Meet our team of life-long learners and student-centered coaches.
Morgan Ballis - CEO
Morgan is the Founder and Director of Operations for Defensive Tactics and Firearms, LLC. Morgan is an NRA Training Counselor and a nationally recognized subject matter expert in active shooter response. In 2020, Morgan and his family moved to Idaho where he is currently employed by the Hailey Police Department serving as a School Resource Officer.
M.S. Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Certified Anti-Terrorism and Force Protection Specialist
Civilian Firearm Certifications
Law Enforcement Certifications & Training
Idaho POST, Basic Peace Officer
National Association of School Resource Officers
Advance School Resource Officer
Basic School Resource Officer
NCBRT/Academy of Counter-Terrorist Education, Louisiana State University, Law Enforcement Active Shooter Emergency Response Trainer
Advance Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training, Texas State University
Active Attack Integrated Response Trainer
Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events Trainer
International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Training & Standards, Nationally Certified Instructor
Out to Protect, LGBT Law Enforcement Liaison Academy
LGBT Awareness for Law Enforcement Trainer
Hate Crimes Investigations
National Rifle Association, Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor
Active Self Protection, Instructor
Massad Ayoob Group, Deadly Force Instructor
Tom Givens, Rangemaster Instructor
National Rifle Association, Training Counselor
Certified Rifle Instructor
Certified Pistol Instructor
Certified Shotgun Instructor
Chief Range Safety Officer
Concealed Carry Weapon Instructor
Refuse to be a Victim Seminar Instructor
Personal Protection Inside the Home Instructor
Personal Protection Outside the Home Instructor
United States Concealed Carry Association
Concealed Carry Instructor
Home Defense Instructor
John Dillon
Firearms Instructor/Legal Advisor
John Dillon is a Firearms Instructor and the Legal Advisor of curriculum development for Defensive Tactics and Firearms, LLC. John specializes in firearm regulations. John has his own law practice at Dillon Law Group, LLP law firm. John is currently developing his practice on civil and criminal defense litigation matters. As an NRA instructor and Range Safety Officer, John's mission is to inform gun owners of California's complex firearm laws and regulations. John is also the legal representation for the San Diego County Gun Owner's Political Action Committee.
NRA Instructor Certifications
Basic Shotgun
Basic Pistol
Basic Rifle
Shane Regan
Chief Instructor
Shane is the Chief Firearms Instructor for Defensive Tactics and Firearms. Shane has been a firearms educator since 2017 and is absolutely passionate about it. Shane typically goes to over 100 hours of continuing education every year bringing the newest and best techniques to class. Some of the Instructors he has trained with and has influenced him as an Instructor in no particular order:
Samuel Middlebrook
Massad Ayoob Tom Givens
Steve Fisher John Correia
Bill Blowers Tatiana Whitlock
Austin Davis Kaery Dudenhofer
John Murphy Brian Hill
State Instructor Certifications
CA POST Certified Firearms Instructor
CA San Diego County Sheriff Department CCW Instructor
CA Riverside County Sheriff Department CCW Instructor
CA DOJ CCW INSTRUCTOR
CA DOJ Firearms Safety Instructor
AZ Department of Public Safety CCW Instructor
UT Department of Public Safety CCW Instructor
Instructor Certifications
CA POST Certified Firearms Instructor
Rangemaster Firearm Instructor
MAG Deadly Force Instructor
Redhawk Evolve Graduate
NRA Training Counselor
NRA CCW
NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home
NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home
NRA Basic Pistol
NRA Basic Rifle
NRA Basic Shotgun
NRA Chief Range Safety Officer
George Mainwaring - Lead Staff Instructor
George started training with Defensive Tactics and Firearms in 2019. He was blown away by the amount of knowledge and training he received. After a few classes he decided he wanted to be a part of giving people the experience that he had received. George was given the opportunity to turn his passion into giving back to his community, and never left. He loves giving people the tools they need to become better, better in all aspects of being a self defender. George truly believe the best thing we can give our students is curiosity. That curiosity will guide you in your evolution as shooters.
State Instructor Certifications
Instructor Certifications
CA DOJ CCW Instructor
CA DOJ Firearms Safety Instructor
AZ Department of Public Safety CCW Instructor
Redhawk Evolve Graduate
NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home
NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home
Basic Pistol
NRA Chief Range Safety Officer