"We see this throughout the country were you have, all of a sudden, someone that is not in their right mind, or somebody that is evil, walking in and targeting innocent people,'' Montenegro said.

"We want to promote people being educated in having CCW permits,'' he continued. "We value those that are able to take these classes and help us with safety.''

Montenegro, who has a CCW permit, said the classes teach more than safely handling a firearm. He said it also acquaints people with the laws on the use of deadly force as well as knowing when not to use a gun.

Montenegro said he does not know how many Arizonans could take advantage of the law and get the credit.

About 251,000 people already have such permits. Those people would be ineligible for the credit.

But the permits are available to anyone 21 or older who is not otherwise disqualified from possessing a firearm, such as conviction of a felony.

That could theoretically leave at least three million Arizonans who could take the course and get the $80 credit, at a cost of $240 million. Montenegro said he does not think the cost in state tax revenues should be a factor.