the disclosure pertains to a safety syringe having a retractable needle shield which is capable of being retracted to expose the needle for use ; being advanced to a needle shielding position ; and , if desired , of being removed from the syringe with the shielded needle safely contained within the retractable needle shield via a frangible segment between the syringe barrel and the needle / needle shield components . the disclosure further pertains to a method of using the safety syringe having a retractable needle shield .