The SKS is NOT particularly high powered - it is about the same as a 30-30 (a common deer rifle).
the police in our news reports and antigunners in general these days, refer to bolt action 22's, lever action rifles and anything that holds more than ONE shot in a magazine, "semi" automatic.
it's disgusting... irritating AND clearly a rhetorical term used to try and stir up fear in the mothers of america.
and it works.