A safety IV catheter assembly (10;100) comprising: a catheter assembly including a catheter hub and a catheter tube, the catheter hub defining a cavity; a needle assembly including a needle hub and a needle (22; 122), the needle (22;122) having an enlarged diameter portion and a needle tip (22a;122a); and a needle guard assembly including a needle guard (26;126) having a body portion (60;160) including a proximal wall defining a guard bore and first and second legs (60a,60b; 160a,160b) extending distally from the proximal wall and defining a recess, at least one of the legs (60a,60b; 160a,160b) having a radially extending portion (84; 172), the first and second legs (60a,60b; 160a,160b) being movable from an unguarded position wherein the needle (22;122) is positioned between the first and second legs (60a,60b; 160a,160b) and a guarded position wherein the radially extending portion (84;172) is positioned distally of the needle tip (22a;122a) to obstruct distal movement of the needle (22;122), the needle guard assembly further including a bushing defining a bushing bore dimensioned to be slidably positioned about the needle (22; 122) at a location proximally of the enlarged diameter portion, an inner diameter of the bore of the bushing being smaller than the outer diameter of the enlarged diameter portion of the needle to prevent passage of the enlarged diameter portion of the needle through the bushing bore, wherein the outer diameter of the bushing is greater than the inner diameter of the guard bore to prevent withdrawal of the needle (22;122) through the guard bore, characterized in that the bushing bore is aligned with the guard bore to slidably receive the needle (22;122) and wherein the recess is configured to limit axial movement of the bushing about the needle (22;122) in relation to the needle guard (26;126). a catheter assembly including a catheter hub and a catheter tube, the catheter hub defining a cavity; a needle assembly including a needle hub and a needle (22; 122), the needle (22;122) having an enlarged diameter portion and a needle tip (22a;122a); and a needle guard assembly including a needle guard (26;126) having a body portion (60;160) including a proximal wall defining a guard bore and first and second legs (60a,60b; 160a,160b) extending distally from the proximal wall and defining a recess, at least one of the legs (60a,60b; 160a,160b) having a radially extending portion (84; 172), the first and second legs (60a,60b; 160a,160b) being movable from an unguarded position wherein the needle (22;122) is positioned between the first and second legs (60a,60b; 160a,160b) and a guarded position wherein the radially extending portion (84;172) is positioned distally of the needle tip (22a;122a) to obstruct distal movement of the needle (22;122), the needle guard assembly further including a bushing defining a bushing bore dimensioned to be slidably positioned about the needle (22; 122) at a location proximally of the enlarged diameter portion, an inner diameter of the bore of the bushing being smaller than the outer diameter of the enlarged diameter portion of the needle to prevent passage of the enlarged diameter portion of the needle through the bushing bore, wherein the outer diameter of the bushing is greater than the inner diameter of the guard bore to prevent withdrawal of the needle (22;122) through the guard bore, characterized in that the bushing bore is aligned with the guard bore to slidably receive the needle (22;122) and wherein the recess is configured to limit axial movement of the bushing about the needle (22;122) in relation to the needle guard (26;126).