A cam activated circuit card clamp is provided. The circuit card clamp is comprised of a base member (204), a leverage arm (412), and a cam activation shaft (422). The circuit card clamp is also comprised of one or more cams (410-1, 410-2, 410-3, 410-4), one or more ramp members (308-1, 308-2, 308-3, 308-4), and one or more wedge members (418-1, 418-2, 418-3, 418-4). The cam activation shaft is coupled to the leverage arm. The cams are in contact with the cam activation shaft which has one or more compression springs disposed thereon. The cams are adapted to pivot about a pivot shaft when actuated. The cams also have a surface adapted to engage an adjacent wedge member when actuated. Each ramp member has an inclined surface adapted to deflect an adjacent wedge member when the adjacent wedge member is compressed against the ramp member. Each wedge member has a surface adapted to engage an adjacent cam. Each wedge member also has an inclined surface adapted to slidingly engage an adjacent ramp member when compressed together. A method for applying a clamping force to a circuit card is also provided.