Thank you for the reply. It does provide me some comfort knowing that it may not be a red flag. In fact, if this is true then I could begin the application process before the date when the records are expunged if the FAA will see them in any case.
My status is that I am a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) or a Green Card holder. AOPA has published a guide that details the flight academy application process for non-nationals
here.
I suppose it cannot hurt to apply. The worst that can happen is that I am denied a TSA endorsement because of my misdemeanor involving a firearm and that I pursue flight training in the EU instead. It would be preferable to avoid spending time and resources if I knew if the FAA has a zero tolerance policy toward criminal records involving firearm violations albeit that mine amounts to a misdemeanor.