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So, the gist of this is:

model may fire assault weapons after advancing but at -1 to hit

A model with an Assault weapon can fire
it even if it Advanced earlier that turn. If
it does so, you must subtract 1 from any
hit rolls made when firing that weapon
this turn

"Forwards, for the emperor" allows a unit to shoot even if it advances (note - it doesn't say "shoot normally", which might be key):

The ordered unit can shoot this phase even if it advanced in its Movement Phase

so, if I have a unit of veterans with shotguns, and the unit advances and has this order issued to them, are they at -1 to hit with their shotguns? it seems RAW they would be, and RAI they wouldn't...

They'd be at -1 still. In other words, the strategem is wasted on a unit that already has the ability to do it. Save it for your lasguns.

Same deal as with other interactions. Intent is no penalty, but the strict RAW is that you still get the -1.

Shoot normally is not the operative phrase. A unit that Advances cannot shoot unless it has some other rule allowing it. By permitting shooting a regular round of no penalty shooting is granted, unless a modifier is imposed as part of that rule a la Assault weapons.

HIWPI is that the unit wouldn’t get the -1 for any weapons other than Heavy if FFTE is played on them (it’s still moved so Heavy gets its regular penalty). Treat it like regular Movement.

Thommy H wrote:
They'd be at -1 still. In other words, the strategem is wasted on a unit that already has the ability to do it. Save it for your lasguns.

I thought as much.

Now, the next question is, can they fire a heavy weapon (EG heavy flamer), as the rule simply states that they can shoot, and not that they can shoot normally?

 some bloke wrote:

Thommy H wrote:
They'd be at -1 still. In other words, the strategem is wasted on a unit that already has the ability to do it. Save it for your lasguns.

I thought as much.

Now, the next question is, can they fire a heavy weapon (EG heavy flamer), as the rule simply states that they can shoot, and not that they can shoot normally?

Shoot means shoot normally. Shoot with other conditions would state other conditions.

 some bloke wrote:

Thommy H wrote:
They'd be at -1 still. In other words, the strategem is wasted on a unit that already has the ability to do it. Save it for your lasguns.

I thought as much.

Now, the next question is, can they fire a heavy weapon (EG heavy flamer), as the rule simply states that they can shoot, and not that they can shoot normally?

Yes, Forwards, for the Emperor allows them to shoot even if they advanced, which means Heavy Weapons can be shot just fine (but with a -1 to hit because you moved).

Also obligatory "See my sig".