FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- A CSU student was carrying a gun to class Friday along with her books. The 23-year-old told 7NEWS that she bought the weapon to protect herself against the serial rapist in the city, who has attacked six women so far.

The student asked that her identity not be revealed, but she allowed the 7NEWS crew to come along with her as she was picking out the gun.

The student said that she lives a block away from where the fifth assault occurred, and that since she has to walk to classes, she is afraid that without some kind of protection, she too could be a victim.

The student applied for an emergency concealed carry permit and the Larimer County Sheriff granted it.

The Rocky Mountain Gun Owners Association held a press conference at CSU Friday afternoon to speak out about the decision.

The group had planned to threaten CSU with a lawsuit if the school didn't allow the student to have a weapon on campus.

But CSU said that although the school had considered banning all weapons, including concealed permits, it has now backed away from that policy.

The Larimer County Sheriff's department said that other CSU students and faculty members have concealed carry permits.

According to a 7NEWS legal analyst, each college in Colorado has a slightly different policy on concealed weapons, depending on their interpretation of the state statue.

The state statute said that it's a felony to take a deadly weapon to a school.

CSU President Calls Special Meeting About Serial Rapist

In the meantime, Colorado State University president Albert Yates planned to meet with police, city leaders and student representatives Friday as the search continued for a suspect in six sex assaults since May.

The meeting was meant to help determine whether officials can boost community safety, CSU spokeswoman June Greist said.

Police have not identified a suspect in the attacks but have a fingerprint, a DNA sample and a black Quiksilver brand ball cap.

One witness reported seeing a faded light-blue 1980s four-door sedan leaving the area of the latest attack Aug. 23.

Investigators have received about 750 tips and 500 calls relating to the car and about 20 calls regarding the cap, police spokeswoman Rita Davis said Wednesday.

The Fort Collins Community Foundation has begun a reward fund to help in the effort. The nonprofit has pledges totaling about $10,000 from victims' families and area residents to reward anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest and conviction, said foundation director Diane Hogerty.

The victims were a CSU student, a recent CSU graduate, two Front Range students, a single mother and a young working woman, police have said.

All were blindfolded by an attacker who entered their apartments through unlocked doors and windows while they were sleeping.