My wife told me that Dominicans fear a Guy with a Gun more than they fear the Devil.I do not know about 17k for a gun, but I do know some people who think that their "guns" give them some type of "status". Agree, juvenile thinking and probably the type of person who should not have a gun.
I was dealing with a crazy Neighbor walking on top of one of our Buildings for Years to look for Mango and anything else that he "might need".
Shouting, Trip wires with alarm, threatening with Police etc all in vain.... until i pointed my Gun at him. Never seen him since and this was 5 years ago.
But when a Cop draws his Gun in any Conflict i witness, this is when i am running.