My Democrat, gun hating mother-in-law asked me if I could shoot someone and kill them, I told her I wouldn't own a gun if I didn't think I could and would do so with no doubt in my mind. Her husband asked her, you wouldn't shoot someone to save my life? She said, No, it would be bad karma. Go figure.
Your MIL is wrong about the karma. It’s bad karma not to protect someone or at least try.
You can tell her a Hindu told you that!
;-)