Kids and guns — it’s a dangerous and often deadly mix. Freddy Barton from Safe & Sound Hillsborough tries to un-mix that combination as he and counselors work with kids from all parts of Hillsborough County. “Even though you may think this doesn’t affect you, gun violence affects everyone,” Barton says, gesturing to a county map. Inside the King Forest Park community center, Barton runs a program trying to combat youth gun violence. Boys are court-ordered to attend the daily sessions. Depending on the severity of their gun crime, the teens are in the program from 21 days to six months. The program’s goal is to somehow give the boys the skills to make better decisions in the future. “Every kid deserves a second chance,” Barton says. “Because they’re young and they don’t understand the consequences of their choices, we have to work aggressively as soon as possible, so that they don’t make these mistakes down the line.” MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/community-connection/safe-sound-hillsborough-prevent-gun-violence/67-66add472-10c2-4ca8-9247-88760425dc69 ►Subscribe: https://on.wtsp.com/youtube ►Website: https://www.wtsp.com/ ►Facebook: https://facebook.com/10TampaBay ►X: https://twitter.com/10TampaBay