I think the reason you can't sell initial equipment is for the same reason you can't de-equip someone from having a weapon. They simply didn't have animations for your character not having anything in their hands... or on their arm I guess lol.

For that reason you always had to have at least one weapon.

Quote Originally Posted by FFIX Choco Boy View Post
Only things I ever sold in VII were master all materia till I got maxxed out money. Other than that, I kept it all.
I thought mastered materia lost all value at the store?