> Local prosecutors and police do not have limitless resources Technically true but just a lawyer's time (for "free") is significant. Throw in other prosecutor

> Local prosecutors and police do not have limitless resources Technically true but just a lawyer's time (for "free") is significant. Throw in other prosecutors, investigators, etc and it begins to look "limitless". And beyond that, with a gun charge, it could be escalated to the state level pretty quickly. Alternatively, if he illegally possessed it - common if there are drugs - it could qualify for Federal charges. It's up to the prosecutor(s) to decide what the charges are and at what level, therefore they get to decide what resources to expend.