Oskarus: "I dont think that that is the way. Restrictions always bring more pain than gain."
Look at the problem from different angle. Allowing players to PvP i.e. in Junktown only with pistols, is kind of deregulation, elimination of restrictions, creating an obstacles. Or: Locations are empty. Restriction that could bring new kind of gameplay is better than do what you want in players empty place.
This idea is here that i think, that players would like to fight in different kind of combats.. Many players whine, that in Hinkley you cannot use LSW and Avengers.. But on other way, competitive P90, nade and others (power)builds are often used there. By same intention and motivation, new chars specialized for pistols, unarmed or melee could be used in some location.
I.e.: Old gangs are playing TC in northern cities.. they are superior to new players because of 1-2 years betatesting knowledge (best builds, best weapons, best ammo, best knowledge how to play, best...). But "New gang", fully specialized on pistols only (Junktown pistol only place) could get their knowhow at this place and they can be superior over old gang players.
I understand you Oskarus, but seriously, i dont think that there would be possible to balance all of the weapons (and even more would be implemented after 3D). Devs. think in same way. They want to allow use some weapons in Faction scenarios (G11, maybe power armor) only, because they dont want to ruin the current balance.
So why not to use all time empty place and allow here to fight only with all time never used weapons in PvP. I remember old days, when there was not needed to TC best tier weapons, we fought with low equip agaisnt best equip and it was fun, it was something new.
Snailbeast: you are wrong, it looks like you did not participated in any TC this or past eras.
Sniper powerbuild X pistol powerbuild => 9/10 sniper will win (range advantage/hendicap). You could admit that snipers can be killed at close range, but good PvP snipers never came to close range (thats work for Avenger, LSW bursters...). At first few eras i used to wear pistol like secondary weapon... but there was no time or reason to use it.
At the end, real life similarity: Imagine situation, that there is kind of semi guarded city.. Dont kill locals, but if you want to kill non locals, you can do it. But dont use big weapons, it is restricted, because you can harm locals or guards.. It makes little sense.