A surgical fastener applying apparatus for applying fasteners to body tissue. The apparatus includes an anvil half-section having a distal anvil portion and a proximal handle portion and a cartridge receiving half-section having an elongated channel member. A firing assembly is releasably supported in the cartridge half-section and includes a locking member. A clamping lever having an engagement member engages a latch portion of the locking member to releasably retain the clamping lever in a clamped position.