Tommy Gun details the development of the Thompson submachine gun, created by John T. Thompson towards the end of World War I, and the reasons that made it an attractive weapon to the Mafia during the Prohibition era, and the United States Armed Forces, who adopted it during World War II.

[1] Kirkus Reviews described Tommy Gun as an "in-depth, entertaining history of the legendary weapon", and praised the attention given to the technical details of the weapon, alongside the "meticulous" overview of 20th century small arms.

"[3] San Francisco Chronicle writer Jesse Berrett was more critical, saying that the book was "entertaining in spots", but criticised it for being "anecdotal to a fault.

It poses no argument, offers no political perspective, and worse, endorses no principle of selection; ultimately the lack of analysis, or direction, grows frustrating."

Though Berrett praised the "astonishing range" of photographs, he said that "Yenne loves his subject so much that his perspective blurs when he raises his eyes", resulting in a "frustratingly apolitical" work.