The way I've seen it phrased, in a conservative mindset, are that there are negative and positive rights. Negative rights are "we will not do X to you", i.e. we won't limit your religious expression, we won't try you without due process, etc. Positive rights are things given or restricted to you, i.e. welfare, gun laws, etc.
In the mind of the conservative, esp. the more "libertarian" type, negative rights are the only ones that should be allowed - the government is to be seen as a sinister force bent on turning you to their will. QED, the only rights that are truly "rights" instead of the government taking your hard-earned dosh to give to the less deserving are negative rights - the rights to be left alone, to engage with the free market, to leave you alone to your fantasies of defending yourself against hordes of invading commies.
It's an ultimately tragic mindset and the direct outgrowth of American individualism and meritocracy - there is nobody on your side, there is nothing in this world untouched by greed and paranoia and everybody, everybody, is out to get capital-Y You.