Dick's Sporting Goods isn't just halting its sales of assault-style rifles.

The company is trashing them, too. Or, actually, destroying and recycling the guns.

Dick's could return the rifles to the manufacturer to recoup its money. But it has opted instead to take them out of circulation.

"We are in the process of destroying all firearms and accessories that are no longer for sale as a result of our February 28th policy change," a spokeswoman told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "We are destroying the firearms in accordance with federal guidelines and regulations."

The assault rifles will be destroyed at Dick's distribution centers and the remnants recycled at a salvage yard.

Dick's has a Field & Stream store near Dallas, in the Collin County town of Prosper.

1 / 2In this Nov. 10, 2014, file photo, Jerry Lyons, left, talks with Pat Ison at the Cabela's store in Dundee, Mich. (Daniel Mears / The Associated Press) 2 / 2A customer looks at guns at a Dick's Sporting Goods in Paramus, N.J.,. on Tuesday, March 6, 2012. (Victor J. Blue)

The company announced in February, after the school shooting in Parkland, Fla., left 17 dead and 17 injured, that it would no longer sell assault rifles at its 35 Field & Stream locations. Dick's also stopped selling guns to those under 21 at any of its stores and high-capacity magazines to anyone.

"Thoughts and prayers are not enough," the company's CEO, Edward Stack, said in February. "We support and respect the Second Amendment, and we recognize and appreciate that the vast majority of gun owners in this country are responsible, law-abiding citizens. But we have to help solve the problem that's in front of us. Gun violence is an epidemic that's taking the lives of too many people, including the brightest hope for the future of America ― our kids."

The company had previously stopped selling assault rifles at its other stores after the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn. Dick's then opened the Field & Stream stories and sold rifles there.