D&D 5E (2014) What's the deal with Small creatures and weapons?

[Minsc]

All I can find is that they can not use weapons with the Heavy property.

Does this mean that a Gnome or Halfling Fighter can swing a Battle Axe or Long Sword with a Shield and have no penalty?

 

[Paraxis]

Yes, no penalty.

 

[Dayte]

All I can find is that they can not use weapons with the Heavy property.

Does this mean that a Gnome or Halfling Fighter can swing a Battle Axe or Long Sword with a Shield and have no penalty?

Slight correction - small creatures can use heavy weapons with disadvantage.

 

[Paraxis]

If you want to have some real fun with halflings and gnomes, make a beastmaster ranger and at level 3 take a mastiff as your companion or panther and use it as a mount, at 4 take the dual wielder feat and use two lances at the same time and being able to draw them at the same time. That is pretty darn epic, double lances on the back of a black panther.