By Rich McKay

(Reuters) – Monday’s signing by Kathy Hochul, New York Governor, of a package of gun control laws, was a response to mass shootings in Texas and Buffalo. It includes new restrictions on the purchase of assault weapons and body armour, as well as new limitations on purchasing them.

On Thursday, the legislature raised the minimum age to purchase or own a semiautomatic weapon from 18 to 21. New York requires that people be at least 21 years old to own a firearm.

Following the murders of 10 people last month, the Democratic governor signed the bill.

A second 18-year old shot and killed 19 school students and 2 teachers in Uvalde Texas, days after the massacre.

Hochul declared, at a New York City bill-signing ceremony: “We cannot continue living like this.”

Hochul stated, “This is an important moral moment not only for New Yorkers but all of America.” Follow the example of New York City and you will see that we are finally at an end to all the gun violence and massacres in this country.

Hochul also signed another law that restricts bullet-resistant vests and body armour purchases to police officers or other related professionals. New York-based social media platforms must adopt clear policies regarding how they will respond to hate speech.

Buffalo gunman donned body armor for his attack and posted his intentions on social media.

New Yorkers as young as 16 years old are allowed to own other kinds of shotguns and rifles in most areas.

New York now joins a handful of states — including Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Vermont, and Washington – that require buyers to be at least 21 to buy some types of long guns, media accounts say. Utah is considering similar legislation.

California’s efforts to increase the legal purchasing age for semiautomatic guns has been rejected by courts.