Does Tennessee need a 2nd permitting system?

Quite simply, no. What it needs are promises kept.

There is a bill by Sen. John Stevens and Rep. Andy Holt (SB705 and HB1264) which was filed to create a second type of civilian handgun permit in Tennessee.  This proposed new permit is a "concealed only" permit.  The existing permit, which will continue to exist, does not have a concealment requirement.  So, if this bill passes there will be two permits, two different application processes, potentially two different fee structures and the permits will not be the same in terms of scope of exceptions relative to "gun free zones".  

As initially filed (it has already been completely rewritten), the proposed legislation would have renamed the existing permits to call them "enhanced handgun carry permits".  The legislation did not however add any enhancements to the permit, it just called them "enhanced" when there was no real need to do so since presumably the proposed new permit will be clearly designated as a "concealed only permit".

As initially filed, the proposed new "concealed permit" would require that the applicant apply "in person" to the Department of Safety for the permit.  The individual would have to provide proof of residency in Tennessee and a photo identification.  The individual would have to meet all the qualifications of the existing permit, with a few minor differences.  Rather than the required 8 hour training course of classroom and range instruction, the applicant for the concealed permit would have to show some evidence of "competency" such as proof of completing the hunter safety course, any NRA firearms course, any law enforcement or military course completion, having a license from another state, or other evidence such as completing an "electronic, video or online course" that may be offered by approved instructors. 

As initially filed, another difference would be that the Department of Safety would run a computerized records check on the applicant.  If all these steps are met, the Department of Safety would issue a 5 year concealed only permit which may be on a "letter" as opposed to a card.  Significantly, the state would not be allowed to charge a fee for this concealed only permit.  This "no fee" provision was perhaps in line with one of Bill Lee's comments during the campaign that he did not think Tennesseans should have to pay for the handgun permits.

Then the first fiscal estimate (dated February 20, 2019) came out on the proposed new concealed only permit.  That fiscal estimate by legislative staffers revealed that it would cost the taxpayers about $1 million per year to give free concealed only permits to the applicants.  Yes, 2nd Amendment rights as they would exist under socialism - you have a right or license that is paid for by the taxpayers.

Almost as soon as the bills were actually put on notice, the sponsors completely deleted the original language of the bills and substituted all new language perhaps to appease some of the objectors or perhaps for some other reason.

The current House and Senate amendments are not exactly the same but they are pretty close.  The Senate amendment is the most recent so it will be used for this discussion.

What changed in the amendment?  Plenty.

The amended bill still creates the lofty name of "enhanced handgun carry permit" for the 600,000+ existing permits.  It still creates a concealed only permit as the new, 2nd generation permit.  The training requirements have changed for the concealed only permit but the requirements still appear to allow things such as hunter safety and most other existing firearms training courses.  New additions are the requirement for 2 full sets of fingerprints - just like the existing permit.  A copy of application has to be sent to the sheriff - just like the existing permit. The TBI is now required to do a full fingerprint based background check - just like as for the existing permits.  Oh, an the concealed permits will have an application fee of $65 dollars for an 8 year permit - sort of like the existing permit.  There is no lifetime permit option - unlike the existing permit.

So, it appears that the Legislature is proposing a 2nd class or reduced feature concealed only permit which will have almost the same application requirements as the current permit, the training is slightly different, you still have to go somewhere to be fingerprinted, and the application fee is a whopping $35 less for an 8 year permit (a saving of $4.38 per year!!!)

Of concern, the amended bill does not define "concealed" so it would be possible that an incidental viewing of a holster weapon under a vest or jacket could result in an arrest on a charge of illegal carrying a firearm.  Also, there are some "gun free zones" where only the enhanced handgun carry permit would be an exception  but the concealed only permit would not be honored.