Wife's new M&P 9mm PRO: What's the Orange thing?

[TXAZ]

My wife just got a S&W M&P Pro 9mm, and it shoots so smooth.
We didn't find anything in the manual on what this little Orange 'thing' is in the attached picture.

Any hints or pointers would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

[brianm767]

Pull the slide back, chamber the plastic thingy, close the slide, orange tab sticks out, it shows a live round is not chambered.

[comn-cents]

It's a chamber flag to let everyone know the chamber is empty.

[TXAZ]

Thanks BrianM767 and comn-cents. That works great.

[Mike-Mat]

Is that what that is.

[RT]

I love those little flags, especially for something like an AK that does not have a bolt hold-open.

[WLJ]

A lot of ranges require these to be inserted during cease fires so that way it's clear to everyone that the gun is safe.

[Bart Noir]

I use a similar but flatter one with my cap-n-ball sixguns.

Why? If a cease fire is called at the range, how can I unload it? Other than firing all the remaining shots fast as I can, which breaks the "aim your shots" rule at the range.

I will carefully lower the hammer on the flag, as the gun lies on its side.

Bart Noir