By Staff Writer: Marissa VanDaelen

Mosh pits have been around since the early 1980s. It’s no doubt that they have gotten more dangerous over the years so it’s understandable why it’s been questioned whether or not they should be legal. It seems like nothing more than a style of dance where people slam into one another but carries different meaning for most people who participate in it. Moshing usually occurs at live concerts with different types of metal and punk genres of music. It’s seen as a form of expression and way to release aggression.

Recently there’s been controversy over whether or not moshing should be legal because a 12-year-old girl was injured in a mosh pit during a live performance from Bring Me the Horizon, a British metal band. The 12-year-old girl’s parents tried suing the band and there were rumors of moshing being banned all together. Oliver Sykes, lead singer of Bring Me the Horizon, eventually revealed via Twitter that the band was not being sued and that no one will ever ban the mosh.

First of all, I don’t understand why any sane parent would let their young child go to a metal concert without some supervision. Obviously, where there is metal music, there’s bound to be mosh pits and bound to be some injuries. Though moshing was basically designed to just “bounce” off one another and not designed to hurt anyone, it’s very likely that you will get hurt in some way.

Second of all, I believe that if that girl had any common sense, she wouldn’t have gotten into the mosh in the first place. It’s relatively simple to understand that if you’re half the size or age of the other people in the pit, you probably shouldn’t be in there.

I was really glad when I found out that Bring Me the Horizon wasn’t being sued for the stupidity of some people. Also, I don’t believe that moshing should ever be illegal.

I understand some serious injuries are possible in moshing and that some deaths have occurred, but I believe that people just need to be smart and really think about what they’re getting themselves into before they enter the pit. Once you get in the pit, it can be incredibly difficult to get out so choose wisely.

I have participated in mosh pits, although I haven’t in a while because last year at Warped Tour, I got elbowed in the face. I felt like my nose was broken at first and it was bleeding a bit. Needless to say, I didn’t really want to get in the pit after that. Regardless, I still support it. There’s just this surreal feeling when you’re in the mosh and listening to hardcore music that can’t be explained.

I say let the people who want to mosh do so. We’re all aware of the potential harms of mosh pits and what happens in them, so it should be the individual’s choice whether they want to take part in it or not.