Does 922r apply to 30-06 chambered imported semi-auto rifles?

[cpileri]

I originally asked this about the Saiga 30-06 (and got no love on the saiga forum). But the question could be asked about the FN 30-06 for sale now on THR, and other semi-auto rifles chambered for long cartridges.

Does the '10-or-less' parts rules apply or is the 30-06 case too long?

Does 922-r apply only to non-importable, "unsporting" rifles? Asked another way; can a 30-06 even be considered "non sporting" by definition?

Reason I ask is because in order to be an assault rifle, the cartridge case length must be 2.25 inches or less

("...Rifles chambered to accept a centerfire cartridge case having a length of 2.25 inches or less (includes .223 and 7.62 X 39); and...")

where a 30-06 has a case length of 2.494 inches (and an Cartridge AOL of 3.34 in, FWIW), which is of course longer than 2.25 inches.

Please school me on the intricacies of this part of 922-r; as i can find no reference specifically on it.

If the S-30-06 is "sporting" by definition, then can a conversion; that is: adding a folding stock and whatever else to create the dreaded 'assault weapon' appearance, a la Tromix- so far the only one known, be done with no regard to final US-made vs. foreign parts count?

Thx,
C-

 

[GunTech]

922R has nothing to do with caliber. It would apply to 50 BMG.

 

[Ash]

It's not the caliber, but the vague characteristics outlined by the Secretary of the Treasury and, frankly, can change from administration to administration. Fundamentally, though, it applies, evidently, to rifles capable of accepting magazine capacities higher than 10 rounds. I say that because as noted earlier, the SVD Dragunov and its clones can be imported, technically, in full military configuration. This is confusing, because the PSL CANNOT be imported in this configuration, which is why the bayonet lugs have to be neutered. In any case, as a general rule, it is the features on the rifle that make it non-sporting. Apply a flash-suppressor and bayonet lug, a pistol grip or other "non-sporting" features, and you fall into 922r. Of course, not sporting is vague and easily changed. A new Sec Treas can decide that semi-autos are non-sporting altogether and so prevent their importation.

It has nothing to do with caliber. I also has nothing to do with reality, but in reality is where the rules lie and so we must abide in what ways we can.

Ash

 

[cpileri]

I think I get it.

the designation 'assault' and 922 and the 'importability' of an appropriately 'sporting' rifle are seperate laws, unrelated to each other -except that they have restricting 2A in common.
Thanks,
C-