A control lever of a column-mounted control device for an automatic transmission is installed on a steering column in such a way as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction of the steering column for selection of gears. A location mechanism is operative to releasably limit rotation of the control lever in the circumferential direction of the steering column and locates the control lever in one of gear positions including a stoppage gear. The control lever is released from the above described limitation in rotation in the circumferential direction of the steering column when pulled toward a driver's seat. A location sensor is operative to detect that the above described limitation in rotation of the control lever is performed in the stoppage gear by the location mechanism and produce a stoppage signal representative thereof. A brake sensor is operative to detect a braking operation and produce a braking signal representative thereof. A shift lock mechanism prevents the pulling of the control lever toward the driver's seat and disables the control lever from being released from the above described limitation in rotation by the location means when receiving the stoppage signal only. When the shift lock mechanism receives both of the stoppage signal and the braking signal, it allows the pulling of the control lever toward the driver's seat and enables the control lever from being released from the above described limitation in rotation by the location mechanism.