extends forward from back wall 11b a greater distance than bottom wall 11c which extends forward from back wall 11b only a sufficient distance to accommodate cross piece 20 between back wall 11b and lip 11e the back wall 11b bottom wall 11c and lip 11e form the generally u shaped lower portion 12 end wall 11d is attached to top wall 11a side wall 11b bottom wall 11c and lip 11e allowing the latch 10 to be spot welded or bolted to a railing support post or wall the release element or locking mechanism 12 is made up of gate 12a attached to the front of top wall 11a by hinge 12d welded to gate 12a and top wall 11a gate 12a hangs down from top wall 11a with the bottom edge 12c thereof resting against lip 11e gate 12a is a one way gate in that it can only be opened by pivoting inwardly of housing 11 since lip 11e stops gate 12a from pivoting outwardly to an open position since top wall 11a extends further forward from back wall 11b than bottom wall 11c when gate 12a hangs down in a closed position it is oriented at an angle to lip 11e bottom edge 12c of gate 12a is bent at a slight angle with respect to gate 11a so that the bottom edge 12c abuts against lip 11e a tab or extension 12b extends upwardly through notch 12 e cut in top wall 11a tab 12b being used to open gate 12a a spacer plate 16 at least as.