Rich Neel transitions from historical rulings to the realities of gun violence today, offering a sobering look at the data and its implications for American society. He highlights key findings, such as the significant rise in gun deaths during the pandemic years of 2019–2021, where firearm-related murders increased by 45%. He also points out that 81% of all U.S. murders in 2021 involved firearms, and that gun suicides accounted for 54% of gun-related deaths that same year.

Neel delves into the complexities of the data, noting how political and social factors influence perceptions of safety and freedom. He emphasizes the contrast between freedom-oriented perspectives, which view gun ownership as a safeguard against tyranny and crime, and security-focused viewpoints, which advocate stricter gun control laws to curb violence.

He also addresses how global comparisons, such as those with the United Kingdom and Australia, show differing consequences of strict gun control policies, including spikes in knife-related crimes. Neel presents these insights to fuel deeper discussion among members about how gun violence trends interact with constitutional rights.

This section provides a nuanced understanding of the ongoing debate, encouraging members of American Egress to think critically about the role of firearms in society and the importance of balancing individual freedoms with public safety.