Q u o t e: They don't want one-handed ranged options because that allows for ranged + shield, which would cause balance issues. The class is designed to operate at range without a shield, and so has skills and traits to compensate for that. Add a shield and it would probably be overpowered on the defensive side.
Yet both the Wizard and Witch Doctor can both function as pure ranged classes with a 1h and shield combo. Id have to disagree with you on this point