Trigger warning- mentions of rape and SA

My wife and I were watching a movie where a male character is killed by a female character as he attempts to rape her. My wife responded by saying she was happy for the female character and glad she was able to stop the attack and prevent him from hurting anyone else in the future.

I was surprised by her reaction. We’re both against capital punishment, and while I absolutely agree that rape is horrifying and traumatic, I felt that killing the attacker was an extreme response. I mentioned that the female character might have been able to escape after injuring him, rather than choosing to kill him outright. To me, it seemed like there may have been another option.

My wife got upset and said that anyone being raped has the right to defend themselves up to and including killing their attacker. She also mentioned that if someone ever tried to sexually assault her, she’d respond the same way. She carries a gun because she works in a dangerous part of town, so I believe she was completely serious.

I respect the right to defend one’s life when facing death, but I don’t think I can ever agree with killing someone as a form of revenge or even to prevent sexual assault. I’m having a hard time reconciling our different views on this, and honestly, I’m starting to see her differently now.

AITAH?