BRUSSELS, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Weapons traders in Belgium have reported a strong rise in sales since debate opened up around tighter gun control laws, VRT news reported on Friday.

    For the moment, sport and hunting firearms can be bought over-the-counter by any adult with proof of identity. The buyer's details have to be noted by the vendor and passed on to the police.

    But new legislation, which has been approved in record tempo after the racist shootings in Antwerp on 11 May, will impose tighter regulations.

    In future, anyone who wants to buy a gun will need to undergo a police screening and obtain a gun license, valid for five years,

    The new law will also have a retroactive effect to the start of this year.

    But Brugge weapons trader Jan Ruysschaert said many members of the public are not aware of the retroactive impact of the new law due to "vague" media reports.

    "Since the parliamentary debate over the new, stricter weapons law started, my turnover has increased by 15 to 20 percent," he was quoted by on-line newsletter Expatica as saying.

    Some weapons traders have sold as many guns in the past few weeks as they normally sell in a year. Enditem