VISTA — A felon suspected of possessing a “ghost gun” in Vista
was in custody Nov. 22.
Deputies from the Vista Station of the San Diego County Sheriff’s
Department stopped Ricardo Alvarez, 33, at approximately 1 a.m. Nov. 21 in the
1000 block of South Santa Fe Avenue for an expired car registration, said Sgt.
Austin Smith.
During a search of the vehicle, a deputy discovered a loaded ghost gun
in a hidden compartment. A bag containing ammunition, a holster, a Taser
gun and drug paraphernalia was also found inside the vehicle, Smith said.
Alvarez was arrested and booked into the Vista Detention Facility for
being a felon in possession of a firearm and other weapons-related charges.
Ghost guns, also known as kit guns or 80-percent guns, are virtually
untraceable weapons that can be made at home using legally purchased parts to
complete the 80% already assembled. They are sold at gun shows and online.
The unfinished parts are not required under federal law to have serial
numbers or a background check to purchase.
