Abstract: A linear-type belt retractor is disclosed which can be incorporated into the safety belt restraint system of a vehicular seat, auxiliary child seat or integral child seat. The linear-type belt retractor includes a stationary lock plate and a latch assembly supported for reciprocal longitudinal movement relative to the lock plate. A belt member of the safety belt restraint is slidably secured to the latch assembly such that movement of the latch assembly in a first direction causes withdrawal of the belt member and movement in a second direction causes retraction thereof. The belt retractor is operable in a first mode for permitting movement of latch assembly on the lock plate in both directions, and in a second mode for inhibiting movement of the latch assembly in the first direction. A remote actuation mechanism is provided for automatically shifting the belt retractor into the second mode in response to fastening of a tongue plate of the safety belt restraint to a belt buckle member.