well, it is butt-ugly

But I have to admit, this is certainly an interesting development for anyone trapped within the People’s Republic of Kalifornistan. 

First, a little history.  In 1994, the Federal Government passed the Federal Crime Bill, which, among other things, prevented average citizens from owning a variety of "assault weapons".  That particular law expired in 2004.  Kalifornistan beat the government to the punch, however, and passed the Robert-Roos Act in 1989 – which proceeded to ban a variety of "assault weapons" by specific name.  This act predominantly centered around AK- and AR-style weapons, however, over the years, more companies started making more and more firearms based on those frames, and so the Robert-Roos Act was added to by the Kasler vs. Lockyer Assault Weapon List, generated in 2000.  Finally, Senate Bill 23 came into effect in 2000 as well.  This bill added Penal Code Section 12276.1 to the California Penal Code, and the relevant portions of it are shown below: 

12276.1 (a) Notwithstanding Section 12276, "assault weapon" shall also mean any of the following:

1. A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and any one of the following:
   1. A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon.
   2. A thumbhole stock.
   3. A folding or telescoping stock.
   4. A grenade launcher or flare launcher.
   5. A flash suppressor.
   6. A forward pistol grip.

With that one sweep of a pen, the grand People’s Republic of Kalifornistan effectively banned any firearms loosely related to those our brave men and women in the armed forces use (the M-16, or its civilianized cousin the AR-15) - or, conversely, those firearms their enemies use, if you are of that inclination (the AK series).  Of course, I will never completely understand why making it so you can reload your firearm sometime this decade, or fire it more comfortably and/or accurately, or carry it easier, or quiet it down and make it less obnoxious/flashy, or any of that nonsense inherently makes that firearm more evil/dangerous than any other firearm.  A grenade launcher, I will admit, does seem a wee bit excessive, but I can certainly see where a flare launcher might prove to be useful.  Regardless, barring firearms purchased before these bans and registered accordingly, Kalifornistan thought it had completely eliminated the "threat" of AR and AK style weapons. 

At least, until now – behold the U15 stock for AR-15 style receivers.  Designed by a Mr. Grant Early, it neatly bypasses all of the frame-related limitations Kalifornistan imposed on the AR series – no pistol grip, no hole in the stock, and the stock does not fold or telescope.  Assuming you have a frame that does not include a flash suppressor or forward pistol grip, you are suddenly permitted to use removable magazines on your "assault weapons".  Of course, as I said, it does look atrociously ugly, and I have no idea where one would rest one’s cheek when trying to shoot with the sights or a scope, but it certainly appears to be a functional and easy-to-install workaround for what amounts to be an idiotic, and obviously ineffective law.  Not sure how comfortable it would be, but seeing as how I lack an AR frame, I will leave that debate to anyone who has one.  I guess this amounts to nothing more than "never underestimate human ingenuity", but one has to wonder how long it is before the Kalifornistan government finds a way to ban this workaround as well. 

All that said, I think I am still leaning towards the 7.62mm market, and specifically the M1A SOCOM by Springfield Armory.  It is inherently California-legal with its removable magazine and without having to be modified to look like something from some B-style science fiction flick, and it fires a larger caliber bullet to boot.  And it can be used as a blunt-force instrument if all else fails…  I always wonder about ARs in that kind of application.  However, whether or not you are particularly interested in ARs, it is good to know that using them with removable magazines will be a little easier here in Kalifornistan, stupid-assed lawmakers or no.  Of course, those idiotic legislators will, no doubt, react poorly to this new development once it starts getting more popularity… but one can only hope that Kalifornistan is going to eventually legislate itself right out of existence. 

In relatively unrelated news, this webpage on "assault weapons" is just hilarious. 

(Hat tip to Random Nuclear Strikes, yet again.)