[going hot]

Once they exit the barrel, bullets immediately start slowing down as gravity begins to exert an influence.

Air friction vs gravity.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

"...as gravity begins to exert an influence."

Gravity didn't exert any influence on those bullets while in the barrel? They were weightless in the barrel? What about in the magazine? In the chamber? In the box at the store? What kept them from floating away?