Dan,
I don't disagree with most of what you've said, but if I were in my vehicle and anybody walked over toward me (80' you say) with a gun displayed and racked a round, I would consider that an immediate threat to my life and might react accordingly. Your wife was wrong regardless of what pre-empted her actions. I'm glad she wasn't hurt!
Bill, sorry about what you witnessed. It'll take time to get that out of the forefront of your mind. But trust me, you will.