When you take the fighter or paladin as your starting class, you get the equipment options of "(a) a martial weapon and a shield or (b) two martial weapons"
hand and heavy crossbows are considered "martial ranged weapons". Does this then mean that a fighter or paladin can choose to take two hand crossbows as their beginning equipment, or does the semantics of them being considered ranged weapons make this invalid.
Hand Crossbows and Heavy Crossbows are martial weapons. The equipment bullet does not dictate that you need to pick martial melee weapons, so any martial weapon will do. P. 146, PHB:
The two categories are simple and martial. Most people can use simple weapons with proficiency. These weapons include clubs, maces, and other weapons often found in the hands of commoners. Martial weapons, including swords, axes, and polearms, require more specialized training to use effectively.
