A biopsy device includes a body, a needle, a cutter, a tissue sample holder, and a gate assembly. The needle extends distally from the body. The cutter is longitudinally translatable relative to the needle and defines a cutter lumen. The tissue sample holder is coupled proximally relative to the body. The cutter lumen of the cutter defines at least a portion of a fluid conduit extending between the cutter and the tissue sample holder. The gate assembly is configured to selectively arrest movement of a tissue sample holder within the fluid conduit between the cutter and the tissue sample holder.