A felon suspected of possessing a ''ghost gun'' in Vista was in custody today.
Deputies from the Vista Station of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department stopped Ricardo Alvarez, 33, at approximately 1 a.m. Monday 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.
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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.
