The AK47 is a fully automatic weapon and without a licence it is illegal to possess or sell them. The AK has a pistol grip and shoulder stock. Ammunition is fed by a detatchable magazine. Then there is the SKS. The SKS is semi automatic and is completely legal. One can be purchased just about anywhere. The SKS does not have a pistol grip. It only has a shoulder stock. Ammunition is fed from a five round magazine that is loaded through the receiver with the bolt lacked back. Both are classified in the assinine category of "assault rifle". Both are of Russian design and just about as sweet as they can be...

Semi-automatic variations of the Kalashnikov rifles can be had in the US though it depends upon your state of residence. Some states restrict so-called semi-automatic 'assault' rifles heavily, others do not. At the federal level there is nothing to prevent you from owning a semi-auto version of one. As for full auto, those are available but they are expensive as they are a 'Class 3' firearm and the class 3 registry was frozen in 1986 so, with the exception of certain specialized dealer licenses, what is available to the average citizen has been severely, artificially limited and the price has risen accordingly. There is also much more extensive paperwork to own one even if you can afford it. As an example, a legal registered Class 3 AK will easily run you $20,000 and up; a decent semi-auto version will only run you around $500.00 on the low end. SKS and AK are very different, SKS has a fixed magazine, different gas system, and no grip. AK has a much different gas system, detachable magazine, and grip. Both are durable designs as the Russians are famous for, I like the AK myself as its lighter and accuracy is almost as good as the SKS.

AK 47s were sold legally in the US in semi-automatic form for years, until the "ugly gun ban", which expired in 2004. State and local ordinances may still restrict the sale and ownership of such semi-automatic weapons. The term "ugly gun ban" refers to the fact that a semi-automatic AK 47 does not function any different than a semi-automatic hunting rifle. They just look scary. TominHouston is only right in the sense that fully automatic versions of the AK 47 require significant and expensive licensing, in the states that allow ownership of fully automatic weapons.