Various companies sell “California legal Yugos” that still have the bayonet on them—What gives?
California law prohibits the grenade launcher on Yugoslavian Type 59/66 Rifles. Various companies sell so-called “California legal Yugos”, where the grenade launcher is removed and replaced with a muzzle break. These rifles are definitely no longer C&R, and ATF has said so in writing numerous times. However, when you modify a rifle and “void the C&R status”, you need to conform to the current requirements of Title 18 USC 925(d)(3) and 922(r). In the case of non-C&R SKS, the ATF has clearly said that a “folding bayonet” is one of the items that are prohibited. Which means that these companies should have removed the bayonet along with the grenade launcher. Yet, it’s hard to believe that so many companies could all be violating the law by making the GL mod. ATF hasn’t been able to articulate a clear answer despite receiving more than a few letters on the subject. So it seems that “California legal Yugos” exist in something of a legal grey area. For more information, check out the section
