The Plasma Rifle is a handy weapon that fills the exact same role as the Storm Rifle... except the Plasma Rifle is superior because it can be immediately distinguished from the Carbine.

: Aesthetically I prefer it to the Plasma Repeater
: (although I always did like the venting ability for the repeater.)

I don't mind the idea of a plasma weapon with the same layout and ergonomics as a Carbine, just not in the same game as those carbines. I also think its kind of ridiculous that we can have the Carbine, Lightrifle, Battle Rifle, and DMR in the same game, but we can't get the Plasma Rifle that is supposedly still in circulation. That's the whole reason I tell jokes about 343i not even remembering that the Plasma Rifle exists.

Overall, I'd prefer to see the return of the Plasma Rifle/Repeater combo.