OHdeerhuntingmarine, been applying for, renewing, or upgrading a security clearance lately? Welcome to my world, the world of the security-clearance-holding gun owner. I get delayed if I have a security clearance investigation open and they don't boot the call up to the next level to actually check it out. The NICS operator will just see that there is an open FBI investigation checking you out, and if they don't kick it upstairs, you get delayed. If your state's CCW license exempts you from a NICS check, get it and save yourself a lot of grief.