Abstract: A manually operated gas lighter for use for lighting barbecues, fireplaces, camp fires, ovens, and the like, which once ignited can be maintained ignited by providing a locking member to positively maintain the valve actuator in its depressed position. The locking member circumscribes the lighter body so as to be relatively rotated with respect to the lighter body, and which circumscribing member is provided with a slot which is constructed to receive and lock the valve actuator in its igniting position by effecting a predetermined relative rotational movement between the lighter and the circumscribing member.