Clamp for use in wood framing

Pliers comprising:

• a first jaw having a first gripping surface;
• a second jaw having a second gripping surface opposed to the first gripping surface;
• a hinge about which the first jaw is hinged relative to the second jaw;
• and
• a release clip holding the first jaw fixed relative to the second jaw when the release clip is in an engaged position and releasing the first jaw relative to the second jaw when the release clip is in a disengaged position, and
• a safety guard preventing the release clip when moving from the engaged to the disengaged position when the safety guard is in a locked position and permitting movement of the release clip from the engaged to the disengaged position when the safety guard is in a released position, whereby a member supported by the first and second jaws in an engaged position cannot be inadvertently released wherein the safety guard includes a rotatable U-shaped bail that is rotatable into a position overlapping the release clip when the safety guard is in a locking position.