Really. Was it an SKS? I haven’t found information about the firearm used anywhere in the media. I thought the Fed’s were keeping it secret. But if it was an SKS that explains a lot.
I’ve also been hearing an Type 56, which is a Chinese copy of the SKS. I don’t know if the shooter put a larger capacity magazine or detachable magazine, or just used 10 round stripper clips during the attack.
Provided he used a stock SKS the Media, per Clinton Era Assault Weapons Ban rules couldn’t classify is as an “Assault Weapon”. SKS pattern rifles didn’t have two or more of the evil features that made it an assault weapon (Bayonet lug, pistol grip, detachable magazine, threaded barrel, collapsable/folding stock). I remember going to my first gun show with my grandfather in 1994 when he went to get an SKS because of the Clinton era ban.
SKS and lack of experience shooting the thing leads to lots of rounds fired and few hitting targets. With a lot of practice it can be a useful battlefield weapon.