Joseph Warren Cassidy (September 28, 1930 – June 12, 2024) was an American politician and lobbyist who was executive vice president of the National Rifle Association of America from 1986 to 1991 and Mayor of Lynn, Massachusetts, from 1970 to 1972.
[8] In 1976, Cassidy was president of the Gun Owners Action League, an alliance of sportsmen's clubs that opposed a Massachusetts referendum that would ban private ownership of handguns.
[4][10] That same year, Cassidy was campaign manager for the Republican nominee in Massachusetts's 6th congressional district – William Bronson.
[12][4] In 1986, Cassidy succeeded G. Ray Arnett as the organization's executive vice president and chief operating officer.
[13] In 1987, members who believed Cassidy was too willing to compromise during negotiations on the Firearm Owners Protection Act, backed his unsuccessful challenger for reelection – Neal Knox.