Device for gripping a container, comprising: - a gripping handle; - a first clamping member slidably mounted with respect to the gripping handle between first and second sliding positions and having a first clamping surface; - a second clamping member having a second clamping surface facing the first clamping surface to form a container clamping pliers between the first and second clamping surfaces (S1, S2); - an actuation lever pivotally mounted relative to the gripping handle between a clamping position and a release position, the gripping device comprising a connection mechanism arranged so that movement of the actuation lever from the release position towards the clamping position causes the first clamping member to move from its first position towards its second position and bring the first clamping surface closer to the second clamping surface, the gripping device further comprising: - an elastic return member disposed to exert an elastic return force on the first clamping member from the second position to the first position; and - a locking mechanism comprising a pusher movable with respect to the gripping handle between a locking position and an unlocking position, said locking mechanism being: on the one hand, arranged so that when the pusher is placed in the locking position, the locking mechanism prevents the movement of the actuation lever placed in the clamping position towards the release position; and - on the other hand, arranged so that when the pusher is placed in the unlocking position, the locking mechanism allows the movement of the actuation lever placed in the clamping position to the release position; and in that the connection mechanism comprises a cam carried by the actuation lever and bearing against a cam follower movably secured to a rod belonging to the first clamping member so that the cam follower slides with the first clamping member relative to the gripping handle, characterised in that the cam follower is arranged in a recess made in the rod and is wedged between axial stops belonging to the rod to oppose any movement of the cam follower relative to the rod along a longitudinal axis of the rod. - a gripping handle; - a first clamping member slidably mounted with respect to the gripping handle between first and second sliding positions and having a first clamping surface; - a second clamping member having a second clamping surface facing the first clamping surface to form a container clamping pliers between the first and second clamping surfaces (S1, S2); - an actuation lever pivotally mounted relative to the gripping handle between a clamping position and a release position, the gripping device comprising a connection mechanism arranged so that movement of the actuation lever from the release position towards the clamping position causes the first clamping member to move from its first position towards its second position and bring the first clamping surface closer to the second clamping surface, the gripping device further comprising: - an elastic return member disposed to exert an elastic return force on the first clamping member from the second position to the first position; and - a locking mechanism comprising a pusher movable with respect to the gripping handle between a locking position and an unlocking position, said locking mechanism being: on the one hand, arranged so that when the pusher is placed in the locking position, the locking mechanism prevents the movement of the actuation lever placed in the clamping position towards the release position; and - on the other hand, arranged so that when the pusher is placed in the unlocking position, the locking mechanism allows the movement of the actuation lever placed in the clamping position to the release position; and in that the connection mechanism comprises a cam carried by the actuation lever and bearing against a cam follower movably secured to a rod belonging to the first clamping member so that the cam follower slides with the first clamping member relative to the gripping handle, characterised in that the cam follower is arranged in a recess made in the rod and is wedged between axial stops belonging to the rod to oppose any movement of the cam follower relative to the rod along a longitudinal axis of the rod.