A braking device (2) for braking a lift car which moves relative to a lift shaft, having at least one braking module (6) which is provided in order to interact with a device, and having a catch (4) which can be adjusted between two operating positions (36, 360, 38), wherein the catch (4), in a first operating position (36, 360), is connected to the at least one braking module (6) such that the catch (4) transmits a release force (22) to the at least one braking module (6), and wherein the catch (4), in a second operating position (38), is separated from the at least one braking module (6), and the at least one braking module (6) is therefore in contact with the device.