They are comparing the court and it’s mechanisms with a toothless tiger because, a tiger with no teeth is useless, it can’t defend itself. So, they’re basically saying that we need the court and it’s mechanisms as a way to help and defend us
From how the both of them reacted I have a feeling Ava is older. If I'm correct Elijah still doesn't have much common sense and he would be confused on why taking more than one sample is an issue.