I'd say it varies too much by locality to even generalize about. In the parts of the south I've lived in, the unlawful discharge laws tend to only apply to MUC

I'd say it varies too much by locality to even generalize about. In the parts of the south I've lived in, the unlawful discharge laws tend to only apply to MUCH denser population centers. I know of a case in Arkansas in which a husband shot the wall behind where his wife was standing in a domestic dispute. But because she wouldn't say that he was shooting at her, and there's no law against shooting your own wall in the sticks, there was nothing to be done about it.