Just look at how bungie varies their weapons. They have one weapon for each catagory for each humanity and covenant. Meaning you have 2 medium-ranged semi-automatic rifles, 2 automatic rifles, 2 pistols, 2 shotguns, 2 sniper-rifles, 2 rocket-launchers, and 2 SMG-type weapons (SMG and needler). Now the way Shot is saying is that bungie added a whole new semi-automatic rifle, similar to the battle-rifle, but different enough to be it's own type. I could see a slightly-modified battle-rifle in the game, but it would still be the battle rifle. And since when did bungie come up with technical IDs for their weapons?
Hmm yeah that makes since,good eye boy-oh.