I saw this in san francisco chronicle yesterday

DennisCA · August 5, 2015, 12:42 PM

Normally I don't read that rag of a newspaper but the one was out and needed something to read on the train to work. I opened up the 2nd page of the "Bay Area" section and saw this:

There are so many incorrect things I don't even know where to start but here's a couple of things:

1) That is NOT a SKS-type rifle, this is an SKS:

2) Again - papers like the chronicle (and others in the main-stream media) love the term "Assault-Rifle"

3) Notice the magazine in the picture? It's a 30-round magazine, something that's been illegal to own in CA for a some time now. Another example of a gun law that doesn't work.

**44 AMP** · August 5, 2015, 08:23 PM

The text pictured says that Homicide Lt Roland Holmgren described it as an SKS-type assault rifle.

So, it is the POLICE who misidentified the weapon.

I understand that (other than the proposed/pending LA ban) that if the "hi cap" (greater than 10rnds) mag could be owned, if it was owned before the passage of the law banning further import and sale.

The rifle pictured appears to be an AK variant, not an SKS.

DennisCA · August 6, 2015, 11:52 AM

44 AMP - Yea true enough
I'm sure those "good folks" at the chronicle were more than happy to print it.
(So much for editing)

BTW - I sent a letter to editor pointing out the error, doubt it will get published.

Double Naught Spy · August 6, 2015, 02:44 PM

Quote:

44 AMP - Yea true enough
I'm sure those "good folks" at the chronicle were more than happy to print it.

It doesn't matter if they were happy to print it or not. They printed the police's description of the firearm. The media isn't in the habit of trying to correct anything a source that should be in the know on a given subject reports to them.

rock185 · August 9, 2015, 12:21 AM

Those kind of errors in reporting are common, with or without police "expertise" on the subject. Any long gun that takes a magazine seems to be reported as an Assault Rifle of some type. I can understand that the media would rely on the police description as to the type of firearm the suspect used in this case. I spent some years in LE. I'd have to say that, unless it was a gun issued or authorized for carry, most of my co-workers did not know, or care, too much about other firearms......ymmv

SaxonPig · August 9, 2015, 07:12 AM

If the stock is full length it's an SKS with a detachable magazine. I once owned one exactly like it. I can't tell from the photo whether the stock covers the receiver or not.

Yes, CA banned sale and importation of magazines over 10 rounds in 1989. Anything already in the state was grandfathered and remained legal to own by the original owner. No way to legally transfer it to another CA resident.

I agree the media often makes horrible mistakes with regards to guns...and I believe they are often done on purpose to assist gun control efforts...but the rifle pictured could be an SKS variant.

Double Naught Spy · August 9, 2015, 09:50 AM

I didn't know you could get side mounted lever safeties on an SKS. I would have guessed the gun to be an AK variant, not SKS. In fact, I can't find any examples online that match the newspaper image at all.

natman · August 9, 2015, 09:51 AM

Quote:

but the rifle pictured could be an SKS variant.

Not unless there's an SKS variant that uses an AK safety lever on the RH side of the receiver.

Will-j · August 9, 2015, 04:21 PM

AND.. The magazine IS FOR an AK; It doesn't have the extended nose-hook for the SKS hook-up.

**4V50 Gary** · August 9, 2015, 05:11 PM

Cops aren't necessarily firearms identification experts.
Editor who grabs a file photo are even worse.

It's the media. The important this is what's on sale?

**Mike Irwin** · August 10, 2015, 08:23 AM

Gee, a newspaper reporter and a police officer who didn't correctly identify a gun.

Stop the presses, that's front page news...

ronl · August 10, 2015, 09:26 AM

The rifle is an Arsenal post ban AK.

Gunplummer · August 10, 2015, 10:03 AM

What is the difference? Most of the readers will just see "a gun" anyway.

August 5, 2015, 12:42 PM	#1
DennisCA Senior Member Join Date: June 3, 2012 Location: Union City CA (a.k.a. Poople's Republik of CA) Posts: 451	I saw this in san francisco chronicle yesterday Normally I don't read that rag of a newspaper but the one was out and needed something to read on the train to work. I opened up the 2nd page of the "Bay Area" section and saw this: There are so many incorrect things I don't even know where to start but here's a couple of things: 1) That is NOT a SKS-type rifle, this is an SKS: 2) Again - papers like the chronicle (and others in the main-stream media) love the term "Assault-Rifle" 3) Notice the magazine in the picture? It's a 30-round magazine, something that's been illegal to own in CA for a some time now. Another example of a gun law that doesn't work.

August 5, 2015, 08:23 PM	#2
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,833	The text pictured says that Homicide Lt Roland Holmgren described it as an SKS-type assault rifle. So, it is the POLICE who misidentified the weapon. I understand that (other than the proposed/pending LA ban) that if the "hi cap" (greater than 10rnds) mag could be owned, if it was owned before the passage of the law banning further import and sale. The rifle pictured appears to be an AK variant, not an SKS. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

August 9, 2015, 12:21 AM	#5
rock185 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2001 Location: Out West in Rim Country Posts: 1,093	Those kind of errors in reporting are common, with or without police "expertise" on the subject. Any long gun that takes a magazine seems to be reported as an Assault Rifle of some type. I can understand that the media would rely on the police description as to the type of firearm the suspect used in this case. I spent some years in LE. I'd have to say that, unless it was a gun issued or authorized for carry, most of my co-workers did not know, or care, too much about other firearms......ymmv __________________ COTEP 640, NRA Life

August 9, 2015, 09:50 AM	#7
Double Naught Spy Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2001 Location: Forestburg, Montague Cnty, TX Posts: 12,717	I didn't know you could get side mounted lever safeties on an SKS. I would have guessed the gun to be an AK variant, not SKS. In fact, I can't find any examples online that match the newspaper image at all. __________________ "If you look through your scope and see your shoe, aim higher." -- said to me by my 11 year old daughter before going out for hogs 8/13/2011 My Hunting Videos https://www.youtube.com/user/HornHillRange

August 9, 2015, 04:21 PM	#9
Will-j Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2014 Location: SW Ga. Near Ft. Benning Posts: 251	AND.. The magazine IS FOR an AK; It doesn't have the extended nose-hook for the SKS hook-up. __________________ Life's too short to worry about the small stuff....... IT'S ALL SMALL STUFF. D@MN, I really miss my meds. THE WINDS OF CHANGE ARE BLOWING FROM OUR OWN CAPITOL.

August 6, 2015, 11:52 AM	#3
DennisCA Senior Member Join Date: June 3, 2012 Location: Union City CA (a.k.a. Poople's Republik of CA) Posts: 451	44 AMP - Yea true enough I'm sure those "good folks" at the chronicle were more than happy to print it. (So much for editing) BTW - I sent a letter to editor pointing out the error, doubt it will get published.

August 9, 2015, 07:12 AM	#6
SaxonPig Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2006 Posts: 1,900	If the stock is full length it's an SKS with a detachable magazine. I once owned one exactly like it. I can't tell from the photo whether the stock covers the receiver or not. Yes, CA banned sale and importation of magazines over 10 rounds in 1989. Anything already in the state was grandfathered and remained legal to own by the original owner. No way to legally transfer it to another CA resident. I agree the media often makes horrible mistakes with regards to guns...and I believe they are often done on purpose to assist gun control efforts...but the rifle pictured could be an SKS variant.

August 9, 2015, 05:11 PM	#10
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,838	Cops aren't necessarily firearms identification experts. Editor who grabs a file photo are even worse. It's the media. The important this is what's on sale? __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

August 10, 2015, 08:23 AM	#11
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	Gee, a newspaper reporter and a police officer who didn't correctly identify a gun. Stop the presses, that's front page news... __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

August 10, 2015, 09:26 AM	#12
ronl Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Posts: 1,100	The rifle is an Arsenal post ban AK.

August 10, 2015, 10:03 AM	#13
Gunplummer Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2010 Location: South East Pa. Posts: 3,364	What is the difference? Most of the readers will just see "a gun" anyway.