You guys are a little off on the blame. Clinton banned the chinese imports and ammo via executive order----bypasses the legislature. Republican George Bush banned via executive order all imported EBR's with certain characteristics like bayonet, pistol grip and capacity. In this ban was three imported shotguns----Franchi SPA-12. Law 12 , and the street sweeper with rotating drum. Note : this is not part of the AWB---assault weapon but was done by Bush before the AWB. Clever people found a way around the Bush executive order ban on imports by Americanizing them by putting in the required amount of USA made parts----ie. 922r regulations. By "Americanizing " them , they are are now able to be purchased in the USA. Note, this Yank bought a Russian made VEPR-k AK/rpk derivative in semi auto in 2003. The russian VEPR was brought over all Russian and then modified by Robarms to make it legal here. It is the best shooting , accurate, heavy barreled AK ever offered. Even today one can buy "Americanized" Saiga AK's.
Now , back to the law. After the sunsetting of the AWB legislation which had a 10 yr life on it , the executive orders from Clinton banning Chinese weapons/ammo , and the Bush 1 Ban on imports -----stilll stands. Note there is no chinese stuff allowed and all imports must still be "Americanized" to be legally sold here. Now this is federal law-----havn't even touched individual state laws that affect this stuff also.
So , I believe that if you "Americanize " your Russian SKS , so that it is 922r compliant, it would be viewed as an American made weapon. Good luck trying to get an immigartion border patrol person to understand such goofy law though. BTW , I have a Russian SKS in natural from -----but it was here before Republican Bush banned it , so it was grandfathered in. Btw, Republican and Democrats are both gun grabbers.
