A forceps , comprising: first and second shafts each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof, at least one of the jaw members moveable from an open position to a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween, at least one of the jaw members configured for reciprocation of a blade therethrough; a trigger assembly configured for selectively translating the blade between a retracted position and an extended position wherein the blade extends at least partially through the at least one jaw member in the extended position, the trigger assembly including: a trigger ; at least one linkage , the at least one linkage coupled at a first end to the trigger and coupled at a second end to the blade; an interference member moveable between a locked position when the jaw members are in the open position and an unlocked position when the jaw members are in the closed position, the interference member configured to engage the at least one linkage when in the locked position to inhibit translation of the blade from the retracted position to the extended position; and wherein contact between the interference member and the second shaft , or a member associated with the second shaft, that occurs when the first and second shafts are approximated to close the jaw members moves the interference member from the locked position to the unlocked position, and wherein the trigger is a rotatable trigger such that rotation of the trigger effects translation of the blade between the retracted and the extended position. first and second shafts each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof, at least one of the jaw members moveable from an open position to a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween, at least one of the jaw members configured for reciprocation of a blade therethrough; a trigger assembly configured for selectively translating the blade between a retracted position and an extended position wherein the blade extends at least partially through the at least one jaw member in the extended position, the trigger assembly including: a trigger ; at least one linkage , the at least one linkage coupled at a first end to the trigger and coupled at a second end to the blade; an interference member moveable between a locked position when the jaw members are in the open position and an unlocked position when the jaw members are in the closed position, the interference member configured to engage the at least one linkage when in the locked position to inhibit translation of the blade from the retracted position to the extended position; and wherein contact between the interference member and the second shaft , or a member associated with the second shaft, that occurs when the first and second shafts are approximated to close the jaw members moves the interference member from the locked position to the unlocked position, and wherein the trigger is a rotatable trigger such that rotation of the trigger effects translation of the blade between the retracted and the extended position. a trigger ; at least one linkage , the at least one linkage coupled at a first end to the trigger and coupled at a second end to the blade; an interference member moveable between a locked position when the jaw members are in the open position and an unlocked position when the jaw members are in the closed position, the interference member configured to engage the at least one linkage when in the locked position to inhibit translation of the blade from the retracted position to the extended position; and wherein contact between the interference member and the second shaft , or a member associated with the second shaft, that occurs when the first and second shafts are approximated to close the jaw members moves the interference member from the locked position to the unlocked position, and wherein the trigger is a rotatable trigger such that rotation of the trigger effects translation of the blade between the retracted and the extended position. <EOS>