If you're a concealed carry weapon permit holder and are planning your summer travel, you will want to know which top vacation states are gun-friendly and which are not.

Florida is America's No. 1 tourist destination, and it also has one of the oldest concealed carry permit laws. Last year the governor signed a "stand your ground" law that allows a concealed carry permit holder to defend himself if he is in a location where he is legally allowed to be. The "Brady Bunch" and the Violence Policy Center breathlessly predicted that the streets would run red with the blood of innocent gunfight victims. Nothing of the sort has happened, and millions of domestic and international tourists continue to flock to the Sunshine State.

You may bring your legal concealed handgun to Florida as long as you are a resident of one of the 25 states whose permits Florida recognizes. To review the list of states, check http://licgweb.doacs.state.fl.us.

The second most popular vacation state is California. Unfortunately, this gorgeous state is one of the least gun friendly in the country. California residents are scarcely allowed to carry concealed handguns. If you are from out of state, don't even think about bringing a handgun to California.

The same is true for the No. 3 vacation state, New York. State residents have difficulty obtaining concealed handgun permits, and New York City's concealed handgun laws are even stricter.

Arizona and Texas are spectacular vacation spots. They are also gun friendly and deserve the patronage of gun owners. Arizona recognizes 28 out-of-state permits, and Texas recognizes eight. To check out Arizona's out-of-state permit list, go to www.dps.state.az.us/ccw. For Texas, check out www.txdps.state.tx.us.

The seventh most popular vacation state is Hawaii, but it's arguably the most anti-gun state in the nation. Every gun restriction you can imagine--and many you can't--are in force in Hawaii.

Colorado is No. 8 on the favorite-vacation-state list and is gun friendly. The Rocky Mountain state accepts concealed carry permits from 19 other states. To check the list of states, go to http://cbi.state.co.us/ccw/reciprocity.asp.

Secured for Travel

The NRA's Institute for Legislative Action has a handy guide to traveling with firearms on its website (www.nraila.org). Here are some highlights from "Guide to Interstate Transportation of Firearms." In most states, personally owned long guns may be transported legally if they are unloaded, cased and locked in the automobile trunk. If the vehicle doesn't have a trunk, the gun has to be kept in a locked container. Laws for the transportation of handguns are different in many states, so be sure to check. If you're driving in a self-contained camper, your gun can be transported unloaded, cased and placed in a locked rear compartment of the camper or mobile home, inaccessible to the driver or passenger. The website lists 20 states or jurisdictions that have special regulations pertaining to the transportation, possession or use of firearms. It's an invaluable resource to the traveling gun owner.

Washington, D.C., is unique among American vacation spots and is worthy of at least one visit. But it is also home to about a half-million defenseless souls who must live under a near-total gun ban. Tennessee, which rounds out the top 10 most popular vacation states, recognizes concealed permits from all other states.

Lack of reciprocity, or the recognition of other states' concealed carry permits, is a major impediment to traveling around the country with a legal concealed handgun. Nevada, for instance, grants concealed carry permits to its residents but does not recognize any out-of-state permits.

However, there are 10 states that recognize concealed carry permits issued by all other states: Alaska, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah and Vermont.

There are regulations that, if strictly followed, will allow gun owners to transport their handguns from one legal jurisdiction to another. NRA's Institute for Legislative Action website (www.nraila.org) has several excellent resources, particularly the "Guide to Interstate Transportation of Firearms." The sidebar below hits a few of the highlights.