A surgical stapler comprising: an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis between the proximal end and the distal end; a jaw assembly positioned at the distal end of the elongate shaft, the jaw assembly comprising: a first jaw; and a second jaw; wherein the jaw assembly has an elongate configuration defining a jaw axis; an articulation joint coupling the elongate shaft to the jaw assembly, the articulation joint having an unlatched configuration in which the jaw assembly is pivotable with respect to the elongate shaft upon application of an external force to the jaw assembly and a latched configuration in which the jaw assembly is pivotally secured with respect to the elongate shaft, the articulation joint comprising: a support member having a central pivot defining a pivot axis of the articulation joint and a plurality of latch recesses; and a latch member longitudinally slidable with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the latch member slidable between a distal position in which the articulation joint is in the unlatched configuration and a proximal position in which the latch member engages one of the plurality of latch recesses such that the articulation joint is in the latched configuration; wherein the support member has a proximal end and a distal end and the plurality of latch recesses is positioned adjacent the proximal end and wherein the latch member extends across the proximal end of the support member in both the proximal position and the distal position; and a handle assembly positioned at the proximal end of the elongate shaft, the handle assembly comprising an articulation latch lever, wherein the articulation latch lever is movable between a proximal, latched position in which the articulation joint is in the latched configuration and a distal, unlatched position in which the articulation joint is in the unlatched configuration. an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis between the proximal end and the distal end; a jaw assembly positioned at the distal end of the elongate shaft, the jaw assembly comprising: a first jaw; and a second jaw; wherein the jaw assembly has an elongate configuration defining a jaw axis; a first jaw; and a second jaw; wherein the jaw assembly has an elongate configuration defining a jaw axis; an articulation joint coupling the elongate shaft to the jaw assembly, the articulation joint having an unlatched configuration in which the jaw assembly is pivotable with respect to the elongate shaft upon application of an external force to the jaw assembly and a latched configuration in which the jaw assembly is pivotally secured with respect to the elongate shaft, the articulation joint comprising: a support member having a central pivot defining a pivot axis of the articulation joint and a plurality of latch recesses; and a latch member longitudinally slidable with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the latch member slidable between a distal position in which the articulation joint is in the unlatched configuration and a proximal position in which the latch member engages one of the plurality of latch recesses such that the articulation joint is in the latched configuration; wherein the support member has a proximal end and a distal end and the plurality of latch recesses is positioned adjacent the proximal end and wherein the latch member extends across the proximal end of the support member in both the proximal position and the distal position; and a support member having a central pivot defining a pivot axis of the articulation joint and a plurality of latch recesses; and a latch member longitudinally slidable with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the latch member slidable between a distal position in which the articulation joint is in the unlatched configuration and a proximal position in which the latch member engages one of the plurality of latch recesses such that the articulation joint is in the latched configuration; wherein the support member has a proximal end and a distal end and the plurality of latch recesses is positioned adjacent the proximal end and wherein the latch member extends across the proximal end of the support member in both the proximal position and the distal position; and a handle assembly positioned at the proximal end of the elongate shaft, the handle assembly comprising an articulation latch lever, wherein the articulation latch lever is movable between a proximal, latched position in which the articulation joint is in the latched configuration and a distal, unlatched position in which the articulation joint is in the unlatched configuration.