A device for removing a protective shield such as a needle shield is disclosed. The device includes a cup shaped body with a sidewall, a distal bottom wall and a proximal opening. The protective shield is insertable into the cup shaped body through its proximal opening. Fingers are disposed opposite each other in openings in the sidewall. The fingers are flexibly coupled with the sidewall at a proximal end of the finger and can be resiliently biased inwardly to engage the protective shield. Each finger includes at least one projection for engaging the protective shield. The fingers may also include a distal engagement surface for engaging a lip on the protective shield.