I don't know about you but if I was cornered and had to choose between the but of a gun or a blade, well... for me its not so much of a choice...

Slice n' dice baby!!!

Besides more people collect functional swords and knives nowadays than they do guns, at least people I know. Plus expecially for people on the resistance, a blade would probably be easier than a gun to get through customs or whatever security checkpoint the Ark has and/or had in the beginning when the refugees came to the ark.
At least that's my take on it...

inb4 gunbullets

Also, just seeing the word wakazashi put a smile to my face (my fav. type of sword like weaponry), I love a blade that's longer than a knife, but not as long as a katana, more versatile than one too.

Although if I could choose a blade to put in BRINK, I'd choose the katar, easy to hide if you know where to put it until you need it for the perfect time to strike.

Jus sayin'