@James *******
@Tony ********
in my email to the consulate, I asked if the local sherriff (ventura county) background check could be utilized in lieu of state or federal. Their reply, "either is fine". Needless to say, I printed that for the record. Like Tony, Ive given myself a few weeks (4) to iron any wrinkles out and to be honest, with James's comments and the ambiguity of the response I'm kind of reconsidering.