As I recall, the suggestion was for musketeers etc. to be more expensive in multiplayer and be available later in campaign game, so they decide to nerf them instead
They may mean they are adjusting the power of gunpowder artillary rather than handguns. Definitely they don't need to nerf them, just make them balanced and available approximately around the time they were historically available.

They have until Febuary so I don't think anything is set in stone for update 2 yet anyhow.