SB 249 and the SKS

[Scott Connors]

How would SB 249 affect the SKS, since the bullet button was in large part inspired by how the magazine on the SKS is removed for disassembly?

[rromeo]

I suppose it wouldn't affect them too much unless Bubba got a hold of one and a Tapco catalog.

[ElvenSoul]

No need to worry anymore about 249!

[gwgn02]

No need to worry anymore about 249!

What? This fight aint over...far from it.

[steve91104]

SKS doesn't have a bullet button or a detachable magazine, so SB249 does not apply.

[Scarecrow Repair]

SKS doesn't have a bullet button or a detachable magazine, so SB249 does not apply.

You could say the SKS itself is the original bullet button, since the regulation which clarified that a bullet was a tool for the purposes of detaching a magazine was specifically meant to keep SKSs from being classified as assault weapons.

[TacoJockey]

But to remove the magazine you are required to disassemble the action, in this case by removing the trigger group.

[Mesa Tactical]

SKS doesn't have a bullet button or a detachable magazine, so SB249 does not apply.

The regulation that allows us to use bullet buttons in ARs was promulgated specifically to address questions about the SKS and whether it had a fixed magazine or not, because SKS rifles with detachable magazines were banned as assault weapons. SKS magazines are designed to be removed from the rifle for cleaning or clearance drill by inserting a bullet tip into a catch behind the trigger guard. This is why "bullet" actually appears in the regulation as an example of a tool.

So SB 249 absolutely does apply to the SKS if it redefines what a fixed magazine is. Precisely how it affects the SKS, however, I can't say.

[Prince50]

[cleonard]

Are not most SKS's featureless when originally purchased? Yes, I know that they came in many variants so some have "evil" features. As a featureless semi automatic rifle they should not be covered, correct?

[Mesa Tactical]

Are not most SKS's featureless when originally purchased? Yes, I know that they came in many variants so some have "evil" features. As a featureless semi automatic rifle they should not be covered, correct?

12276. As used in this chapter, "assault weapon" shall mean the following designated semiautomatic firearms:

(a) All of the following specified rifles:

(11) SKS with detachable magazine.

[formula502]

12276. As used in this chapter, "assault weapon" shall mean the following designated semiautomatic firearms:

(a) All of the following specified rifles:

(11) SKS with detachable magazine.

...and based on the new definition of "detachable", we'll need to have a p*ssing contest about whether or not the trigger group is part of the action (I always took action to mean the bolt or slide) and whether or not a depress-able catch is a button.

The SKS is indeed in play.

[senorpeligro]

...and based on the new definition of "detachable", we'll need to have a p*ssing contest about whether or not the trigger group is part of the action (I always took action to mean the bolt or slide) and whether or not a depress-able catch is a button.

The SKS is indeed in play.

SB249 shows how easy it is to threaten a whole range of firearms with simple "declaratory" re-definitions.

I have a Russian SKS that is *awesome* if you like that kind of thing.

[Dr Rockso]

...and based on the new definition of "detachable", we'll need to have a p*ssing contest about whether or not the trigger group is part of the action (I always took action to mean the bolt or slide) and whether or not a depress-able catch is a button.

The SKS is indeed in play here and may be subject to featureless concerns.

Yep, it is not at all clear whether the trigger assembly is part of the "action". The action is typically considered to be the bolt and associated components that facilitate the insertion of the cartridge into the chamber.

[senorpeligro]

Yep, it is not at all clear whether the trigger assembly is part of the "action". The action is typically considered to be the bolt and associated components that facilitate the insertion of the cartridge into the chamber.

A featureless SKS isn't impacted AFAICT.