"(T)he execution of policy and legislation" usually (nearly always) involves the large-scale violation of rights by those doing the execution. Naturally, being an idealistic fellow, I do not take an idealistic view of how politics 'works' - I am instead revolted by the whole corrupt process.

"Evil is not a literal word here..." Actually, the evil is literal, in my considered opinion. You are the sole owner of yourself and of the fruits of your labor/creativity. NO ONE has a legitimate claim on you or yours outside of legitimate tort (you harmed another person against their will) or voluntarily accepted contractual obligations (you received value according to a mutual agreement and are now obligated to perform your part of said agreement). To execute/enforce a claim outside of those relationships is a form of evil; we commonly call it theft or robbery. To forcibly deprive a person of the means by which they might protect themselves from 'official' thuggery or from the free-lance variety is also evil. Your precious Republicans enthusiastically participate in both of those clearly evil endeavors.

"The way to accomplish this is to vote in to power the party that has a chance to do something." Even if the Republicans were not evil, the majority of the electorate now benefits in some tangible way from government theft and transfer programs. They most assuredly will not vote themselves off the dole and dependency. The victim-disarmament stuff is simply part of the overall program of dependency. It really makes NO difference, in the long run, whether you vote D or R. Remember that your rights are inherent in your nature as a human being - they most assuredly are NOT subject to a vote.

"If voting L makes me feel good when I cast my ballot, but gets my guns restricted by taking votes away from a pro gun Republican; what have I accomplished?"

You don't, "get my guns restricted" by voting for or against any political scumbag. You allow your guns (or any other right) to be restricted/infringed by failing to defend those rights through integrity-driven action - "Come and take them." Until Liberty (the government fears the citizens) replaces tyranny (the citizens fear the government), this crap will only get worse. The people must, once again, teach our would-be masters to fear us. At this late juncture, civil disobedience (with teeth) is the only way to deliver that lesson. Unfortunately, I find that the great majority of my 'fellow travelers' lack the courage of their so-called convictions. If you are not willing to risk 'conviction', you can make no real contribution to winning this fight.