I saw this in san francisco chronicle yesterday

D

DennisCA

New member
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:
Story%20SF%20Chron-108-04-15_zpsyr0xrxnn.jpg


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:
IMG_0753_zpscmwpkcyg.jpg


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.

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

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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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?
 
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