Deborah Prothrow-Stith compares the culture of dueling to the culture of urban violence. I think I get the idea about a historical precedent, at least in very broad terms. But in just about every-other way this comparison fails. Among the counter-arguements:

Duels in America were, more often than not, between adult men who understood the consequences of their actions. Alexander Hamilton was in his fifties when he took on Aaron Burr, the Vice President of the United States, in a duel. Street violence takes place among teenagers, many of whom are still in high school. They don't yet understand the value of life.

Duels were arranged contests, not impulsive sneak attacks as many incidents of urban violence are.

And duels were fought between the two contestants. There was no collateral violence against babies, people in their homes or innocent young women who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.