Weapon Proficiencies

Weapon Proficiencies
Traditionally in pathfinder in order to use a weapon without a -4 to hit, you are required to be proficient in it. In my games this penalty for non-proficiency is a non-issue. Anybody can pick up and use any weapon without penalty. The wizard can swing a greataxe without special training, etc. With this though, exotic weapons have been toned down to be on par with their simple and martial counterparts. The feat, Weapon Focus, can be used to gain additional training with a specific weapon group (chosen as per the weapon groups identified in the fighter weapon training ability) Weapon Focus provides a +1 to hit with any weapon in the entire weapon group, and in addition upgrades the base stats of all weapons in that weapon group, effectively upgrading them. This, ideally, creates a balance between allowing even the most rarely used exotic weapons to be used as a viable option without investing feats into it, while rewarding those who take the approach of investing into specific weapon types.

The details on the changes for weapon stats can be found here

Firearms do not always follow this rule, changing as appropriate based on region.