I am constantly alarmed by the amount of legal advice that's given out on sites like this. The first thing I want to say is that anyone contemplating owning something that looks anything even remotely like a gun should be
extremely cautious about the law, and do their own research. That said:
A replica firearm could actually be used within any area as long as warning and clearance has been given to and by your local council and duty police officer of that area.
Where does it say that? Where is the "category of 'Toy'" defined? Where does it talk about "how much... has been changed?" Or did you make that wording up?
My lay, unqualified reading of the VCRA indicates that imitation firearms are divided into only two groups that affect movie replica enthusiasts, based on whether they're "realistic" or not, with a fairly broad definition of "realistic" that's largely decided by colour. I think that a lot of movie replicas are at risk of being considered "realistic". There is nothing in law which makes it OK for film memorabilia enthusiasts to own them.
Cosiplay in a specified location is ok but is restricted
shells and handles can be shown to be additions
Where does it say that? Where did you get that information? Says who?
There are a very, very few exceptions in the VCRA, including those for filmmakers and airsoft enthusiasts. The airsoft people were very lucky to get their exception through. As far as I know there is no exception which is valid for cosplayers or memorabilia collectors, possibly because that would be an enormous loophole.
I may not like this law, it may be silly, and hard to enforce, and the police may use a lot of discretion in enforcing it, but there is a difference between what the police generally like to do and what they
could theoretically do. I am not aware of an instance of a film memorabilia enthusiast facing any sort of sanction for holding possibly-realistic imitation firearms, but it is still, as far as I know, a criminal offence.
The fact that they usually put up with it does not make it OK, and it is irresponsible to give advice.
HF