Why would it even matter if it were true? If I'm not mistaken, Congress has already passed legislation awarding compensation to the victims and precluding their families from suing the airlines anyway.Well, there is a very simple answer to that one: If it is true there was a gun on board, the deal to immunize the airlines from liability could be challenged on grounds of bad faith. Similarly, you cannot "trick" someone into signing a contract without risking having the contract being challenged later. It is the difference between tough negotiation and trickery.
It would be nice if they could be.