A volunteer group pushing for stiffer sentences for sex crimes against children held its first rally Saturday.

Organizers of the Coalition for Jessica's Law plan to hold gatherings throughout the state to promote passage of a law similar to one passed in Florida in 2005. That law was named for nine-year-old Jessica Lunsford, who was raped and killed by a convicted sex offender.

The North Carolina measure would levy a sentence of 25 years to life in prison against criminals convicted of rape or a sex offense against a child under 13.

Co-chairman Jeff Gerber said he started the gropu when he learned the North Carolina legislature had not passed the bill.

"We are furious about this," he said. (Char-O)