Guess this is just a discussion to understand how players and their pc's think on a broad scale on the topic, outside of the obvious 'Guns are very lethal' answer.
In addition, firearms have unique advantages that make it very worthy for some characters.
Melee types usually enjoy the frontal assault type situations, and that's why they'd pick melee types.
While both weapons are capable and do well in frontal situations, there's very specific reasons why you might not want to just charge in with ALL types of firearms.
The situations and strategy vary but each weapon type has it's pros and cons.
Firearms aren't all that difficult to acquire and play around with and I certainly don't see them as a status symbol - there almost no barriers preventing people from getting a firearm who apply themselves. On the other side of the fence, you have street-sams who are insane enough to enter a firefight with nothing but a katana and a syringe of vee, that also requires brass balls. Simply using a gun carries little weight; any punk can get a heater and wave it around. Fear factor harassing everymen, sure, not weight. The character behind it and their actions give it weight.
It's true that guns bring unique RP to the table. The same is true of all weapons. The choice of weapon really changes the tone from 'hitman' to 'psycho slasher' to 'hired thug'. You can't play a sniper without a sniper. To break it down further, there's a big tone change from a PopPop to a Walther PPK/s to a H&K Mk23-S. Using a machete screams 'ganger' or maybe 'deranged butcher'. Using a composite katana? Street-sam.
On a larger scale, aside from the individual flavour each style adds, certain professions carry the expectation of using a firearm - or not. Additionally there are different RP opportunities out there that simply don't exist to people unless they're practised in specific weapon styles.
Firearms offer numerous advantages to people who really want to push the mechanics as well as several safety nets. Generally, if a melee character wants to get something done in combat they have to almost fully commit to an engagement whereas a character who uses firearms has more options available and options that can get them out of danger but still able to contribute to the fight in a pinch. Melee weapons have fewer decision points.
For me, the weapon choice on any given character is a 100% RP decision and not out of any want to play around with the individual advantages; my own choices reflect my characters' wants and tastes and not my own preferences. I have in the past chosen to specialise with very sub-optimal weapons and would do again if it fit the character. I think that a lot of players will agree. There are a lot of factors that could lead somebody to pick a certain weapon both ICly and OOCly motivated.
The vast majority of my characters have been “gun people “. I have nothing against any other style, I just prefer guns, have an easy time relating to them, and I see them as the most themely weapon to aspire to use in a practical manner (now don’t get up in arms, I’m not saying your katana or brass knuckles aren’t themely)
Firearms have replaced the sword, bow, and everything else that used to rule the modern battlefield for obvious reasons. What is themely is that the amount of training needed to be proficient to a level where you can probably defend yourself is very minimal, especially in comparison to other styles of fighting. Basic Rifle marksmanship can be taught in less then a week. It’s a weapon that can themely apply to anyone (not all street sams use katanas or strictly use long blades....)
The major advantage in game that I enjoy that no other weapon provides is the ability to shoot at people in rooms adjacent to you. If I barricade you into a single exit room, and you don’t have a gun, I could just stand outside and dump magazines into you while you wonder where it all went wrong. There’s also disadvantages, such as jamming, weapons maintaining, ammo, all that good stuff, but guns are the gold standard for -ME-.
http://cyberpunk.asia/weapons.php?cat=27&action=show&lng=us
Would love to see two or three more low end smg’s, a pistol or two, and some lower end shotguns and another assualt rifle from here IG. Would really round things out with our contemporary weapons and CP ones.
