<p>A stapler (1) includes a body (3) and a strike plate (7) movably mounted to the body (3) between a rest position and a loaded position. The strike plate (7) is adapted to drive a staple into a target object. The strike plate (7) may be moved from the rest position to the loaded position by a loading mechanism (6) against the bias of a power spring (8), whereupon the energy stored in the power spring (8) is applied to the strike plate (7) to drive the staple. A stapler (1) may include a lockout (14) which inhibits movement of the strike plate (7) toward the loaded position unless a work piece is beneath the stapler body (3).</p>
