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In non-technical terms [note to instructors and gun buffs - I'm oversimplifying this]: most semiautomatic firearms utilize some form of a small spring steel device called an ejector. The ejector has a hook on the end of it which snaps over the rim of the base of the cartridge being loaded into the firing chamber (the place at the rear of the barrel where the cartridge sits until the trigger is pulled). when the cartridge is fired, the bullet goes forward through the barrel while the slide goes backward with the now fired (and thus empty) brass cartridge case. When the cartridge comes parallel with the ejection port the spring steel ejector is putting enough pressure on one part of the rim of the case that the brass flies out the ejection port. If there is a live cartridge in the chamber and the slide is pulled back *sharply*, the live cartridge *should* also be ejected in a similar manner.

In a clean, well built firearm the extractor will work 99.9% of the time. It's that other .1% that will get you if you're not paying attention.

Bottom line here is that the only possible absolutely reliable safety mechanism isn't mechanical - it's the guy or gal operating the firearm; and that only works when said guy or gal makes an absolute habit of doing everything right (including visually inspecting the chamber of the firearm) every single time.