A roving band of men with guns spread across Baker Beach in San Francisco on Saturday. But most beachgoers didn't even notice, even with the weapons visibly holstered.

The men, after all, had come to pick up trash and, in the process, quietly preach their gospel.

"It's not just criminals who carry guns," Robert Montgomery, 39, of San Jose, explained. "And criminals are not going to 'open carry.' "

The men - and some women - are part of an ad hoc group trying to increase awareness of gun rights by visibly holstering them in public.

They've had more controversial events, such as at a Starbucks, which allows the open carrying of guns. But Saturday marked the first time they'd come to San Francisco.

They chose Baker Beach because it's part of the National Park system, where as of last week, it is legal to openly carry a handgun.

Rules on carrying guns

Jeff Dunhill, who wore a .40 caliber Walther P99 semiautomatic, said that society is safer with those who openly carry.

The question, said Dunhill, 37, of Walnut Creek, is that "when the criminal breaks the law, does the law-abiding citizen have the chance to defend himself?"

There are rules, of course, to how to openly carry a gun.

The guns must be unloaded, and the gun magazine must also be visibly holstered. It's not cumbersome for those who are experienced.

Jon Schwartz, 38, of Livermore said that he could unholster his .45 caliber Smith and Wesson M&P remove the empty magazine, put in a loaded magazine, get in a shooting stance and fire all within 2.1 seconds.

As they picked up trash, most beachgoers had no idea the men had weapons. But some said their clothes and their demeanor seemed out of place.

"They're not dressed to pick up trash," said Ashley Bahney, 27, of Oakland. "When they said, 'Hi,' I was pretty weirded out by that."

An argument that society is safer with guns is not convincing in a place where children are playing in the surf and picnicking, said Ludo Thomasson, 32, of San Francisco.

"I want them do the same thing in Oakland - and not Baker Beach, where people are walking their dogs," he said.

That's not the point, said Brad Huffman, 27, of Martinez, who had holstered onto his belt a 9mm Glock 17 RTF, two magazines, handcuffs and an iPhone.

They want to go to places that are part of their life, like a steakhouse or a coffee shop.

"We don't go looking for trouble," he said. "If we had a reason to go to Richmond, we would."

The only tension of the morning came when they met up with U.S. Park Police, who were warning beachgoers of the tsunami advisory.

"I respect your right to carry, but I do have to inspect your weapons," said Sgt. Todd Roth.

David Julian, 28, of Cupertino challenged Roth as to whether he had the right to do so. He took photographs and audio-recorded the inspection in case there was trouble.

Roth said the service had peace officer status granted by San Francisco and Marin county sheriffs, which gives them the legal right to inspect weapons. After Roth and two fellow officers left, Julian was still annoyed.

Police and sheriffs are encouraged to lie, Julian said, "if the ends justify the means."

Montgomery, the San Jose resident, wore a miniature video camera during the entire event, so that he, too, would have proof in case there were any incidents. His iPhone was recording audio at the same time.

'Rights to not be stopped'

Because he is heavily tattooed, has a goatee and dark skin and wore a black, hooded sweatshirt, Montgomery said he is often stopped by police.

"I have legal rights to not be stopped by police officers," he said.

While the law allows for inspecting weapons, gun rights advocates believe it is a violation of Fourth Amendment protections against illegal search and seizure.

This article has been updated since it appeared in print editions.