A surgical stapling apparatus is provided which includes a first jawsupporting an anvil assembly and a second jaw supporting a cartridge assembly.Thecartridge assembly supports a firing lockout assembly which includes a latchmemberhaving a blocking member. The latch member is movable between a first positionand a second position. In the first position, the blocking member of the latchmemberis aligned with the stop surface of the drive member to prevent advancement ofthedrive member within the tool assembly and in the second position, the blockingmember is misaligned with the stop surface of the drive member to permitadvancement of the drive member within the tool assembly. A biasing member ispositioned to urge the latch member towards the first position. In theretractedposition of the drive member, the latch member is in the first position.
