[angryoldfatman]

I thought it was an SKS, not an AK-47. I know, I know, the SKS is just an AK-47 knock-off, but the SKS is cheaper by a long shot.

Don’t know about how easy it is to modify versus a proper AK, however. It might be that some elbow grease with a pair of pliers could turn a semi-automatic to an automatic fairly easily.

I vaguely remember SKS’s having flaws that made it shoot short bursts accidentally, maybe a tweak to the flaw could make it spew rounds like a water hose.

[Georgia Girl 2]

The photo of the weapon supposedly used in the shooting appeared to me to be a Saiga A 47 semi auto. Most said AK 74 but I own a 74 and it did not appear to me to be one.

[Mariner]

Read my post.

This is not the gun used in the rampage.

[fireballxl5]

if not properly maintained/cleaned there is a flaw in the SKS. The firing pin needs to float freely. if it sticks there is a danger of multiple rounds firing.

The SKS is not a knock off. It was designed and fielded before the AK47, but did not have a long run after the AK47 was developed.

[familyop]

So-called journalists add much to the confusion.

Dallas shooting rifle: a "curio or relic," but still deadly
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/dallas-guman-shooting-micah-johnson-sks-rifle/

[TexasTransplant]

SKS is the predecessor of the AK
In my opinion a better quality firearm than the AK
SKS that has been in storage and or not cleaned in a while the firing pin may stick in the extended position, so before you load it at the Range just pull the bolt, give it a couple o shakes a touch of oil and all is well.
If you decide to forgo the above and the firing pin is stuck yeah when you let the bolt go it will fire and continue until the mag is empty (as will any semi with the same condition)

The shooter had some AK variant not an SKS ... SKS has a milled receiver the picture of the purps weapon was a stamped receiver