Sheriff discusses Santa Clarita ‘ghost gun’ on ’60 Minutes’

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva called for increased regulation of “ghost gun” parts in an interview  broadcast Sunday night on “60 Minutes.”

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.

A ghost gun was used in the Nov. 14 shooting attack at Saugus High School that killed two students and wounded three others before the 16-year-old shooter turned the gun on himself and later died, Villanueva said shortly after the shooting.