I've been helping someone out here in California develop a magazine locking device for the FAL that is compliant with the new assault weapon laws here. What I've been wondering is if this device, while tailored specifically for California compliance, would also be suited for AWB in any other AWB States. The crux of the issue would seem to be what is meant by "ability to accept a detachable magazine, and by extension, how detachable magazine is defined. Doing Google searches hasn't led me to much in the way of answers, and mostly just leads me to news articles about the SAFE Act. So in NY, how are these terms defined, and what would have to be done to make it so that a semi-auto rifle with banned features is no longer "able to accept a detachable magazine"?
The device is specifically designed to require opening or disassembling the action to remove the magazine, and it requires the same and removal of one or more components to remove the locking device or disable its locking function. With the rifle assembled, the magazine inserted, and the action closed and ready to fire, the magazine cannot be removed, the magazine catch cannot be removed (and the magazine with it), and the components used to lock the catch cannot be removed. If the magazine is not installed, but the above conditions otherwise apply, a magazine cannot be inserted into the magazine well and lock into place or be manually held in place high enough to theoretically permit feeding. However, the current generation of the system makes it so that the locking mag catch can be removed with the magazine removed and the action closed; an alternative idea for one of the components of the system does not permit removal of the mag lock with the action closed and magazine removed while still blocking insertion of a magazine, but it is currently not being developed further since the former component is easier to manufacture.
Would a FAL so configured still be considered one with an "ability to accept a detachable magazine"? While we aren't going to change how the system works for other States, regardless of which variant we decide to go with, it would be nice to know that it would be viable for use elsewhere and to be able to offer it to gun owners in those States who want a FAL but don't want to weld the magazine in place or anything radical and permanent like that.