Lancing device for use with a lancet to penetrate tissue and facilitate collection of a sample of a body fluid, said lancing device comprising: a housing lancet carrier mounted to said housing for releasably engaging a lancet, said lancet carrier comprising: first gripping jaw a second gripping jaw positioned in opposition to said first gripping jaw to define a lancet-receiving channel between said first and second gripping jaws, said first and second gripping jaws being movable between a closed position for gripping a lancet and an open position for receiving and releasing a lancet biasing means for biasing said first and second gripping jaws toward said closed position and first release arm connected to said first gripping jaw and a second release arm connected to said second gripping jaw, whereby application of force to said first and second release arms moves said first and second gripping jaws toward said open position.
