Abstract: The invention relates to an ignition switch arrangement for an internal combustion engine having electrical ignition. Engines for handheld portable tools are for the most part equipped with magneto ignition and are switched by short circuiting the ignition coil for bringing the engine to standstill. The ignition switch arrangement of the invention includes an ignition switching unit which is switchable between an ignition-enabling position wherein the ignition is operative and an ignition-disabling position wherein the ignition is inoperative. According to the invention, a latching actuator having a latch latches the ignition switch unit in the ignition-disabling position when the latching actuator is in its latching position when the ignition switch unit is switched into the ignition-disabling position while the engine is running. The latch releases automatically when the engine coasts to standstill so that the ignition is automatically enabled for the next starting operation.