The invention relates to a lancing device (1) for taking blood samples, comprising a housing (2), an axially displaceable lancet holder element (32) for holding a replaceable lancet (12), a drive unit (30) comprising at least a lancing spring element (31) for driving the axially displaceable lancet holder element (32) in a lancing direction (18), and a tensioning carriage part (26) which can be fixed in a tensioning position (36) for tensioning the lancing spring element (31), according to the invention the fixable tensioning carriage part (26) being temporarily axially fixed in this tensioning position (36) by means of a latching apparatus (35) which can be latched to the axially displaceable lancet holder element (32).
