Indianapolis youth basketball leagues help keep kids off streets, away from guns: 'Something positive'

Republican California State Assemblyman Bill Essayli claims Democrats care more about criminals than victims amid the rising gun violence nationwide on "The Next Revolution with Steve Hilton."

Youth basketball leagues in Indianapolis are trying to offer a healthy alternative for young people amid rising gun violence in the city's streets.

"Guns make a coward a cowboy, and that’s what we’re living in now," Anthoney Hampton of the Brightwood Community Center told local CBS 4 Indy.

"Guns are a hot topic now. Once they passed a law where 18-year-olds can legally possess a gun, 18-year-olds generally hang around with 15- to 18-year-olds. Used to be Fortnight, now it’s guns," he continued.

Hampton said he runs leagues on the east side of the city every Thursday and Friday, which he noted are days that generally have higher rates of gun violence.

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Indianapolis has seen a surge in non-lethal shooting incidents over the past year. (Mark E. Gibson via Getty Images / File)

"We try to keep them busy, give them something to do," he said of the purpose behind the leagues, which are affiliated with the Indy Police Athletic & Activities League.

"Basketball gyms are like churches, the coaches are mentors. We can gather the flock, and then we can spread the message," he added. "These gyms are priceless to the community and to the people that come into the community and pour into these children and young men."

"Basketball gyms are like churches, the coaches are mentors. We can gather the flock, and then we can spread the message."

Travis Jefferson, who coaches one of the teams, echoed Hampton, telling the local outlet that the leagues