Abstract: A gate movement arresting and locking system which is effective to automatically reduce the velocity of movement of a gate as it approaches an end position, but which also allows for tight closing at the end position and automatically locking at that end position. The gate movement arresting and locking system of the invention relies upon a very simple circuit arrangement which uses a pair of diodes and capacitor arrangement for controlling the movement of current and thereby operating an electromagnet in either the gate or a fixed obstruction at the closed position and which operates in conjunction with a magnet in the other of the gate or fixed obstruction.