A surgical fastening instrument is disclosed. The instrument comprises an end effector cartridge assembly, a handle, and a firing member, wherein an electric motor is configured to impart a firing motion to the firing member to eject fasteners from a fastener cartridge of the end effector cartridge assembly. The instrument further comprises an electronic lockout system configured to ascertain whether the fastener cartridge is present in the end effector, permit the motor to apply the firing motion to the firing member when the presence of the fastener cartridge has been ascertained, and prevent the motor from applying the firing motion to the firing member when the presence of the fastener cartridge has not been ascertained.