A surgical stapling instrument configured for use with a staple cartridge that contains a plurality of staples configured to be ejected therefrom by a camming assembly supported therein. The surgical stapling instrument includes a first jaw that is configured to removably support the surgical staple cartridge therein. A second jaw is movable relative to the first jaw between an open position and a closed position. A cartridge verification member is configured to block distal advancement of the camming assembly from the unfired position unless the cartridge verification member detects a verification feature on the staple cartridge.