Abstract: The bolt of a latching mechanism is spring actuated toward a latching position relative to the latch-receptive slot of a latch-catch which is pivotally mounted on the vertical member of a swing gate, and movement of the bolt from a fully latched position to a retracted non-latching position is controlled by a pendulum stop which is normally and gravitationally disposed in interfering relationship with the bolt, whereby an intentional, deliberate, pendulum-stop-displacing action is required on the part of an attendant in order to enable the bolt to be shifted from an advanced, locked position to a retracted position.