Yeah you were wrong then and are still wrong.
Yes it may well be about situational awareness and map knowledge just as much as guns, but "as much" means the other is half, yes? So you think missing half the gameplay formula isn't a significant disadvantage? Lol.
That half to casual players makes all the difference. I group with 3 guys who are much more casual than me. They struggle with the gunplay until they've unlocked stuff that helps the recoil and mag size, etc. and it's incredibly frustrating until they do.
BF1, by comparison, was much better when we began playing that. The basic guns are decent and unlocks only give more variety and flexibility, they don't just hand more power to those that don't need it.
It's nothing to do with instant gratification and participation awards, it's to do with giving extra advantage to players that simply have more time to play being a stupid feature that does nothing but create a fake power gap.
Don't agree? shrug Whatever. I only have several personal testimonies and tons of comments agreeing. I guess they are just filthy casuals who want it all handed to them though, yeah?