The Santa Monica shooter had illegal weapons. He could not buy them. He built them himself.
Santa Monica shooter built his own weapon - CBS News
(CBS News) SANTA MONICA, Calif. - We know more Friday about the gunman who went on that shooting rampage in Santa Monica, California last week. He killed his father and brother at home, and then three strangers at a community college. Police were unable to trace his weapon and we found out why.
The assault rifle that 23-year-old John Zawahri used in his Santa Monica shooting spree is illegal in California. But Police Chief Jacqueline Seabrooks said Zawahri came up with an enterprising solution.
"We know Zawahri was able to buy gun components from various sources across the country to build his own .223 semi-automatic rifle," she said.