Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a selectively operated safety latch having an active mode and a stowed mode. In an illustrative example, a retractable safety latch may include a tongue element extending in a first plane and a base element extending in a second plane. The tongue element, for example, may include multiple mode selection slots. The base element may include a brace slot. For example, one of the multiple mode selection slots and the brace slot may receive a security pin long a longitudinal axis so that a predetermined mode is selected. In the active mode, the tongue element extends away from the base element to releasably engage a striker element. In the inactive mode, the first plane and the second plane are substantially parallel such that the tongue element is prevented from engaging the striker element. Various embodiments may advantageously provide quick switching security latch operations.