John Russo is a professional firearms instructor, shooter and life-long hunter and outdoorsman. He is a retired Police Sergeant from Southern California with 29 years of service. He has served as a SWAT Sniper, Child Abuse Detective, Homicide Unit Supervisor and Training Manager. As the leader of the Police Department’s Firearms Training Unit, he has been teaching firearms for over 26 years to police officers, military personnel and civilians. In addition to being an NRA, NLEFIA, IALEFI and CA POST certified firearms instructor, his credentials include a laundry list of certifications as an instructor and armorer on all types of weapon systems. John has been writing for various gun magazines for many years and has been published over 100 times on topics ranging from hunting, shooting, guns, training and law enforcement. An NRA Life Member, John is a strong believer in the 2nd Amendment and the American citizen’s right to own and carry firearms.
Jay “Bubba” Norris is a California transplant from Georgia. He enlisted in the United States Navy where he served as a Helicopter Search and Rescue (SAR) Swimmer, aerial door gunner (M-60/M-240E), a Weapons Tactics Instructor and a squadron NATOPS (Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization) instructor. His platform was the SH-60F/HH-60H Seahawk helicopter. Bubba left the Navy to pursue a career in Law Enforcement in Southern California. A veteran police officer, he worked Patrol and Gang Enforcement before being promoted to Detective. Bubba worked auto theft for several years and is now assigned to the training division full time. He has been on the Firearms Training Unit as an instructor for approximately 17 years and teaches classes to law enforcement, military and civilians. Bubba is an NRA and CA POST instructor and a certified armorer on numerous weapon systems including Sig Sauer, Glock, 1911 handguns, Remington 870 shotgun, and the AR-15 weapon system. Bubba enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, shooting and taking his son dirt bike riding.
Vince Sullivan is a life-long shooter, hunter and outdoorsman. He is also a life member of the NRA. One of his passions is reloading and he has been doing so for over 40 years. Vince has even created his own wildcat cartridge for varmint hunting. He has a vast knowledge of scoped rifles and precision shooting. He has been employed since 1979 in the Aerospace industry as a welder building military hardware. This includes such items as jet engine containment cases for everything from fighter jets to Stealth Bombers. Vince’s articles on hunting and reloading have been published in various outdoor magazines.
Affectionately known as “Uncle Dick” to the many folks in the gun industry he has mentored, Mr. Williams is an icon in the gun industry. At the age of 7, Dick was introduced to guns through the NRA shooting program on a ranch school in southern Arizona. He got the “gun bug” early! Growing up in areas blessed with some open spaces, his interests expanded to include hunting, beginning with slingshots and working up through BB guns and pellet rifles to the mighty 22. At the age of 16, he bought his first Ruger single action handgun and became forever addicted to handgun hunting. During his years of military service following graduation from the Air Force Academy in 1962, he competed in Bullseye shooting, took a fleeting look at rifle competition, and continued hunting. In the seventies he moved to Colorado and became heavily involved in handgun silhouette shooting and handgun hunting big game in Colorado, Wyoming and Arizona. With a growing family, he still managed to devote some time to action pistol competition. He wrote for a couple of publications through the seventies and eighties before becoming a freelance writer for commercial gun magazines at the end of the decade. In 2001 he was hired as the first Handgun Editor for NRA’s new magazine, “Shooting Illustrated”, turning out monthly columns and features. Today he is a Field Editor contributing to NRA publications and writing articles for other publications such as Gun Digest and Varmint Magazine. In the last 30 years he has been fortunate to handgun hunt Africa, Australia and Alaska. He remains a dedicated handgunner.
Mike Cocita is a San Diego native with a vibrant passion for the outdoors. As the webmaster, photographer, and videographer for the Guns and Game website, he brings his expertise to the forefront capturing outdoor content. With over 30 years of experience in shooting, camping, and hiking, Mike has tested the latest gear in the field, always seeking the next thrill. Known for his positive attitude and outgoing personality, he embraces every opportunity for adventure, inspiring others to explore the great outdoors.