In this segment, Rich Neel explores the gradual erosion of Second Amendment rights over time, beginning with what he describes as a pivotal moment—the passage of the Gun Control Act following President John F. Kennedy's assassination. This legislation, he notes, was born out of a nation in shock and served as the first major move toward limiting the broad guarantees of the Second Amendment.

Neel traces the subsequent changes, pointing to how the courts and legislative actions have incrementally chipped away at these rights. From restrictions on automatic weapons to increased regulations on firearm manufacturing and ownership, the trajectory, according to Neel, has been one of steady limitation. “That was the beginning,” he reflects, highlighting how the once broad spectrum of Second Amendment protections has narrowed through decades of legal and political battles.

The discussion in this section underscores Neel’s concern that each new regulation, no matter how small, contributes to an ongoing trend—one that he believes deviates from the original constitutional intent. This historical perspective sets the foundation for understanding the modern debates surrounding gun rights and the regulatory landscape.