I've made the same stupid argument in the past. But the events over the last few years, have caused me to reconsider a lot of the normal talking points that I used to parrot.

Another favorite is when discussing firearms and licensing procedures, driving comes up as an example of responsibly exercised rights. "BUT DRIVING IS A PRIVILEGE, NOT A RIGHT!" Again, as you point out with the "constitutional replublic not a democracy" argument. The "driving is a privilege" wholly ignores the concepts of negative and positive rights, and places the government in the position of granting rights (as is found in German democracy) rather than limiting rights (as is found in social contract theory and British democracy).

Good article. Thank you for sharing.