Customizer link in Admin Bar generates 404/403 error

The test environment is currently in localhost, but can be moved to a server if it will help solve the problem. The server is Apache2 Version 2.4.7 (Ubuntu).

I make a fresh install of WP 4.0 (but this problem happens in 3.4.1 as well). Clicking on the link to the Customizer in the Admin Bar works properly. When I hover over the link to the Customizer in the Admin Bar, the browser displays:
localhost/repos/wp-customizer/wp-admin/customize.php?url=http://localhost/repos/wp-customizer/

I install BPS .53.1 (but this problem happens with earlier versions as well) and use the Setup Wizard to create the .htaccess files. Clicking on the link to the Customizer in the Admin Bar generates a 404 error. The Apache2 error log has the following:
[Wed Dec 09 06:47:02.630131 2015] [access_compat:error] [pid 3219] [client 127.0.0.1:48642] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/christina/public_html/repos/wp-customizer/wp-content/plugins/bulletproof-security/admin/mod-test/mod_access_compat-od-denied.png

I rename the root .htaccess file. Clicking on the link to the Customizer in the Admin Bar generates a 403 error. The Apache2 error log has the following:
[Wed Dec 09 06:47:02.630958 2015] [access_compat:error] [pid 3804] [client 127.0.0.1:48643] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/christina/public_html/repos/wp-customizer/wp-content/plugins/bulletproof-security/admin/mod-test/mod_access_compat-od-nc-denied.png

I rename the wp-admin .htaccess file. Clicking on the link to the Customizer in the Admin Bar works properly.

TIA for any help you can offer.

https://wordpress.org/plugins/bulletproof-security/