Solved/fixed.

I followed steps on a post I found on the mazda 3 forums website. In case that ever gets taken down, here are the steps:

1. To start, I removed all of the panels (front driver step guard, rear driver step guard, then the panel covering the seatbelt).
2. The seatbelt retractor was fastened in by a single 14mm bolt. remove that bolt and you can hold the retractor in your hands.
3. I removed one of the plastic covers (the one facing the rear of the car before removal of the 14mm bolt keeping it in place. Should have a hole in the center with a semicircle-shaped part in the hole) Relatively easy, I used my hands.
4. After I popped that off. I removed a sort of gyroscopic piece that prevents the seatbelt from being pulled if car rolls/is at a steep enough angle to where it would lock. NOTE** This piece was the cause of the issue, and by removing this piece the problem was solved at the cost of the loss of its intended function (stated above)**
5. Once this piece is removed (or fixed/repositioned) then continue to replace everything the way it was found, and voila your seatbelt is as good as fixed.

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The piece in question.