The loop shaped construction that encircles the trigger. Usually extending from the receiver and connecting again to the firearm at the grip. The purpose of the trigger guard is to protect the trigger from accidental depression while holstered or slung, and to provide a small ammount of defence in the case of a close-quater attemt to seize one's firearm.

Owing to the less intense nature of usage than that of the barrel, trigger or slide rails for example, the trigger guard can be made of polymer with a lower risk to the operator, although there are also many composite and metal trigger guards on the market as well. It is common to see a trigger guard as simply an extrustion from the receiver itself.