Abstract: Disclosed is a pen light having an outer casing, a lamp within the lower end of the casing, battery means within the casing in electrical contact with a first terminal of the lamp, a conductive clip for engaging the battery means toward the upper end of the casing, and a conductive member engaging a second terminal of the lamp and extending into proximity with a free end of the clip so that the free end of the clip can be pushed through a contact opening in the casing into electrical contact with the conductive member to turn on the lamp. The clip is shaped so that it abuts against the upper edge of the contact opening at a point above the free end such that the electrical circuit to the lamp can be closed when pressure is applied to the clip at the free end but cannot be closed when pressure is applied to the clip above the point of contact.