I always wonder when this phrase or a variant is used if these ignoramuses know that the typical load for an AK-47 is considered a bit light for deer hunting.
I don't think you need to wonder. Most of these anti-gun duckheads are absolutely clueless and would feel put upon to learn the facts about the issue, IMHO.
Albeit I agree with yer concept that the grabbers are idiots. The 7.62x39 & 30-30 WCF is almost identical and lots of bambis have been taken with the 30-30WCF.
http://www.accuratereloading.com/76239.html
http://www.realguns.com/loads/3030r.htm
I have a old mexican mauser with a shortened action and ultra light buggy whip barrel. It's in 7.62x39 and I have taken mulies, javalina and white tail with it. Very accurate 150yd tool for harvesting game. I reload for it with modern bullet designs and such so the standard warsaw pact issue ammo may be lacking but not too light for deer at all in brush country. Granted I'm not going to make a 300 yard shot with it but then I don't shoot at game beyond a hundred most of the time anyway unless it's sod poodles or coyotes with a proper caliber in a varmint rig.
Or if they oppose the same round being used if only it's fired from a bolt action or maybe even the fairly innocuous looking Ruger Mini-30. (Of course some of them have a small clue, but that just motivates them to ban the Ruger as well, as the Kerry (along with Clinton, Kennedy, Fienstein, Schumer and the other "usual suspects" in the Senate) cosponsored S.1431 would do)
7.62x39 is ballistically near identical to a 30-30.
From what I hear the SKS is used fairly often from tree stands, at about 50 yards.
I know a few people who use MAK - 90's to hunt rabbits, very few use actual AK's as they are full-auto.