A surgical stapling device (10) is provided that includes a handle assembly (12), a movable trigger (26) and an elongated body portion (14). A staple containing shell assembly (22) is mounted on a distal end of the elongated body portion (14) and an anvil assembly (20) is movably mounted relative to the staple containing shell assembly (22). An auto-lock safety mechanism (40) is provided to prevent secondary actuation of the surgical stapling device after initial actuation. The auto-lock safety mechanism (40) includes a primary lock or slider assembly (42) for blocking movement of the trigger (26) and a secondary lock or stopper (44) for blocking movement of the slider assembly (42) prior to approximation of the anvil assembly (20) relative to the staple containing shell assembly (22). A slider (70) is urged to a locked or blocking position by a biasing member (72).
