Maybe I can contribute, since I previously came from industry side.
TLDR: No. That contract may in fact be beneficial to growing supply.
Long post:
Let's go through some publicly known facts.
- We know that it's very, VERY hard to get loans for anything related to firearms in this day and age.
- Workforce is either burned out or pretty much going on strike due to shitty wages/treatment
- Logistics shipping companies are tapped the fuck out.
- People are freaking the fuck out (due to mainstream media again) and hoarding the fuck out of shit
I can give people a look into issues that are popping up internally in the industry, without going into too much detail. (I can verify my employment if moderators require/request.)
- Take a look at gun companies and their glassdoor/linkedin/employee reviews. Because of the nature of the industry, these companies pretty much rely on hiring temporary employees with the promise of hiring after 6 months of no problems in the workplace. This is pretty much abused.
One of a few articles on this matter.
- Government contracts are valuable, not because the "money" it brings in, but due to the higher chance of receiving a loan for equipment/material/expansion.
- What's most companies using the money from this shortage for?
Storage. Yeah. That's fucking right, storage. Everyone is hampering about more machines or hiring more people, but space is what is coming back to major manufacturers. (Think of it like inventory space in video games, like inventory space was in Resident Evil 4.) Anyone ever see raw metals being shipped? That shit isn't small; I'm talking 12-24+ feet of steel/brass/aluminum. That shit needs space to sit AND space to be moved. Toss in the fact that decades of strict zoning laws and the explosion of luxury home development, and you can see the issue.
- "Fuck storage space, why not equipment?!" I know someone is going to say this, so I'll cut it short. If you have ever been inside of a manufacturing area that deals with metal and precision, that shit takes up space. AND if you are running ANY precision/heavy duty equipment, you're going to have to make sure the floor can withstand it.
I think the most important point, would really relate to my earlier point of people freaking the fuck out and hoarding.
- This is the age of computers and artificial intelligence. There's people that can write/code/script for programs/artificial intelligence to constantly refresh dealer sites and purchase shit-tons of popular items to mark them up. Look at graphics cards and how much the return on investment they get off of that. If there is a situation where supply is less than demand, these guys can capitalize on the situation due to the instantaneous speed of programs/AI.