2016: Schweikert Voted To Prohibit Arrest Under State Law For Transporting An Unloaded, Locked In A Secured Container Firearm. In February 2016, Schweikert voted for a bill which expanded hunting and fishing on federal lands which also prohibited the arrest under state law for transportation an unloaded, locked in a secured container firearm. According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation would have "prohibit[ed] arrest under state law of an individual transporting an unloaded firearm that is stored in a locked container, secured by a safety device or is not accessible from the vehicle's passenger compartment, unless there is probable cause to believe that the firearm isn't being transported in such a manner." The underlying bill would have, according to The Hill, "expand[ed] public access to recreational shooting and hunting on federal lands." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 242 to 161. The Senate took no substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 101, 2/26/16; Congressional Quarterly, 2/26/16; The Hill, 2/26/16; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2406]
2016: Schweikert Voted To Prohibit Arrest Under State Law For Transporting An Unloaded, Locked In A Secured Container Firearm. In February 2016, Schweikert voted for an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, "prohibit[ed] arrest under state law of individuals transporting a firearm if they are transporting an unloaded firearm that is stored in a locked container, secured by a safety device or is not accessible from the vehicle's passenger compartment. Arrest would [have] require[d] probable cause to believe the person is transporting the firearm in a manner that is not provided for under standards outlined in the amendment. It also would [have] provide[d] for a defendant who prevails in asserting the amendment's provisions as a defense in a criminal case to be awarded reasonable attorney's fees." The underlying legislation was a bill that, according to AP would have "expand[ed] access to hunting and fishing areas on public lands, extend[ed] protections for the use of lead bullets in hunting and strip[ped] wolves of federal protections in four states." The vote was on the amendment. The House passed the amendment by a vote of 239 to 165. The House later passed the underlying legislation, but the Senate took no substantive action on the legislation. [House Vote 96, 2/26/16; Congressional Quarterly, 2/26/16; AP Via US News & World Report, 2/26/16; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 957; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2406]