is counterparty ready for the issuance of basic assets? something simple like claim checks?
Yes, you can issue assets in counterparty. The functionality has been in place for a month, you are welcome to check it out.
http://www.blockscan.com/asset.aspxAny considerable risk of the asset getting wiped at some point in the future? can people trade them with each other?
I would say it is quite safe, as the assets are stored on the Bitcoin blockchain. I have been using it in the command prompt for quite some time.
Yes, people can trade them with each other in the Distributed Exchange.