I mean, if you ever find your little English butt in Arizona then you could actually do that as long as you don't work in a school or non-LEO related government building. You can carry loaded guns into the fucking pubs down here on some Wild West type shit although it's probs a lot more tacky than "based". It isn't common.
Aside from the strong association with arabs, commies and terrorists, the AK is an undeniably all-time great platform and proven to be forever formidable. It's less accurate and doesn't possess the same range as the AR/5.56x45 but it's more durable and the 7.62x39 cartridge causes a lot more tissue damage and trauma. This is demonstrable in the SafeLife FRAS vest clip I posted, neither got through that beast but the AK's 7.62 damage and penetration was far greater.
There are a lot of custom build shops for them stateside.
In a way, a big argument for the AK over AR15/M16 isn't that dissimilar to why you pick a Ruger revolver over a Colt or Smith & Wesson. They're less refined but far more durable, reliable and rugged. You can beat the shit out of them and they won't fail you, even the little pocket rocket snub 357's are built like fucking tanks and engineered to place the steel where it counts. This matters, a lot. Especially if you purchase firearms for the primary purpose of personal protection and home security.